There is really no issue that can’t be more fully explored through film: love, loss, family, war, peace, politics, religion, assimilation, suicide — even sumo wrestling. The Kansas City Jewish Film Festival, taking place March 5 through March 13, will provide a varied offering of “great films with a Jewish twist,” exploring themes of interest that will appeal to audiences of all types. Presented by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, the line-up includes contemporary comedy, drama, indie films, documentaries, and family selections — each a recent winner or audience favorite at festivals internationally.
“This collection of films reflects the Jewish Film Festival’s revitalized mission,” says Victor Wishna, KCJFF producer. “We want to offer our diverse community a chance to engage Jewish values through films that examine issues of identity, culture and history. Whether it’s a documentary on American policy during World War II, or a crowd-pleasing Israeli comedy about amateur sumo wrestlers, there will be something here to entertain virtually everyone.”
The 2011 edition marks the return of the festival to a full week of seven films, all to be screened at the Jewish Community Center’s 500-seat White Theatre. Movie fans may purchase a Festival Pass — which includes early seating at every film and a special pass-holders-only pre-film reception on opening night.
An award-winning film from Argentina opens the KCJFF at 7:30 on Saturday, March 5. “Anita” claimed the Audience Favorite prize at festivals as diverse as the Pittsburgh Jewish Israeli Film Festival and the Los Angeles International Latino Film Festival, and relates the touching and ultimately uplifting story of a young Jewish woman with Down syndrome who tries to find her way home through Buenos Aires in the wake of the 1994 AMIA Jewish Community Center bombing.
The week that follows will bring a selection of wonderful family-friendly films — “The Yankles” and “The Little Traitor” (both Sunday, March 6) — as well as “Nora’s Will,” a darkly comic tale of a Mexico City family set on the eve of Passover (Monday, March 7). The powerful new documentary “Against the Tide” offers a never-before-seen look at the response to the Holocaust, or lack thereof, by the U.S. government and the American Jewish establishment (Sunday, March 13).
Another highlight takes place Saturday, March 12, when a screening of “The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground,” a funny and poignant portrait of the popular style-blending musicians, follows the live CenterSeason performance by New York spoken-word artist Vanessa Hidary, “The Hebrew Mamita.” Patrons are invited to make an entire evening of it and enjoy fresh-brewed coffee between shows, compliments of The Roasterie.
The Festival will conclude Sunday, March 13, with a rather big evening: “A Matter of Size,” which opened the Jerusalem Film Festival and was recently optioned for an American remake, tells the story of four Israeli friends who embrace their own largeness as founders of the country’s first sumo wrestling club.
The Kansas City Jewish Film Festival is produced in partnership with the Harry Portman Charitable Trust, the Louis and Frances Swinken Supporting Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, the Norman and Jean Burstein Glazer Memorial Fund, the Louis and Dorothy Davidow Cultural Arts Fund, and the Helen and Sam Kaplan Fund of Country Club Bank.
Tickets and Festival Passes may be purchased now online at kcjff.org, by calling (913) 327-8054, or in person at the White Theatre.
Three films scheduled March 5 & 6
‘ANITA’
Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. plus Opening Night Dessert Reception, Spanish with English subtitles
Additional Pre-Film Reception for Festival-Pass Holders Only
In the wake of the 1994 bombing of the Buenos Aires Jewish Community Center, a young Jewish woman with Down syndrome searches the city for her mother, receiving help and companionship in unexpected quarters through the simple force of her ingenuous personality and open heart.
‘The Yankles’
Sunday, March 6, 1 p.m., English
In this fun-for-the-family feature, a washed-up major leaguer gets a second chance — as coach of a yeshiva baseball team. After a rough start, he finds a home with “The Yankles,” and with his help, the team strives for success on the field, while their coach works to rebuild his reputation and his relationships with those whom he wronged in the past.
‘The Little Traitor’
Sunday, March 6, 6:30 p.m., English
Family Night: Appropriate for ages 7 and up, with free babysitting available for younger children. Reservations required.
Starring Alfred Molina and featuring Theodore Bikel, this is a tale of the unlikely bond between a kindly British soldier and a spirited Jewish boy set against the backdrop of the birth of the state of Israel — based on the acclaimed Amos Oz novel, “Panther in the Basement.”