The 36th annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival returns to the Castro Theatre next Thursday, July 21st, with more than two weeks of films that celebrate the full spectrum of Jewish life at home and abroad.
"San Francisco is a beautiful mosaic of diverse cultures and communities," Lexi Leban, executive director of the Jewish Film Institute, tells Hoodline. "The Jewish Film Festival is a chance to come together and celebrate through film and art—San Francisco loves film festivals."
The festival's complete schedule can now be seen at the Jewish Film Institute's website, and the offerings are diverse: one documentary takes a look at the controversy surrounding Holocaust-themed humor, while others pay homage to TV legends Norman Lear (All in the Family) and the late Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek). Many of the films, both narrative and documentary, hail from other countries, including Israel, Argentina, Poland, Canada, and Germany.
The opening night screening is Daniel Burman's The Tenth Man, a romantic comedy about a successful Jewish businessman in New York who returns to his childhood home in Buenos Aires. Burman will appear in person at the screening.
Three days later, on July 24th, Norman Lear will appear in person at the Castro Theatre to receive the Jewish Film Festival's Freedom of Expression Award. After a screening of the new documentary Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You, Lear will participate in an onstage Q & A.
Now 93 years old, Lear shocked TV audiences when he created and produced All in the Family in 1971. The groundbreaking series starred Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker, a right-wing bigot who somehow managed to come across as likable—even as he spewed non-stop racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and xenophobia.
Archie often sparred with his liberal, hippie son-in-law Mike (Rob Reiner), in scenes that are still shocking today. Lear and his writers intentionally threw offensive barbs at viewers in order to underscore the ignorance of prejudice.
Leban noted that Lear's work on All in the Family remains as relevant as ever. "We haven't come as far as we could have," she said. "Norman Lear's fierce advocacy for tolerance and compassion is needed now more than ever. I'm interested to hear what he has to say about social justice and freedom of speech."
The tribute to Lear is part of the festival's Televisionaries series, which will focus on some of television's finest artistic achievements. As part of Televisionaries, the festival will also showcase three notable small-screen imports direct from Israel, including espionage thriller False Flag and Haredi family melodrama Shtisel.
One controversial title is the new documentary The Last Laugh, which explores the nature of making comedy about the Holocaust. Featuring famed Jewish comics Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Sarah Silverman, it screens on July 31st at the Castro.
"The filmmakers set out to explore the limits of humor," Leban explains. "The film is very funny and interesting—a Holocaust survivor will be there in person to weigh in on the issue."
Leban was particularly excited to talk about the festival's Take Action Day on July 29th. "We'll be highlighting social justice films, from inequality to marriage equality," she said. Titles include Abortion: Stories Women Tell and Freedom to Marry, and "there will be a discussion after each film."
Other thought-provoking films in the festival line-up include a documentary reflection on the post-Holocaust relationship between Germans and Jews, and several films explore the relationships between young Israelis and Palestinians, including Michal Vinik's Blush, an LGBT coming-of-age story. Filmed in both Hebrew and Arabic, it offers "a portrait of modern Israel through the eyes of young people who are pushing boundaries," said Leban.
The festival will conclude at the Castro on July 31st, when Adam Nimoy appears to show his film For The Love of Spock. The film is a tribute to Nimoy's father, the late Leonard Nimoy, who was idolized by millions for his portrayal of Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series.
Photo: Courtesy of SFJFF
"Trekkies will love it," Leban promises. "There are lots of clips, and interviews with Star Trek cast members. Adam has crafted a really loving tribute to his dad."
Tickets for the 36th Annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival are now on sale.
