10 Across the Narrow Bridge
Best Feature: Lenore Marwil
Jewish Film Festival, 2010 0 0/ 111
131 A Matter of Size
USA - Ukraine, 2009, 45 min., Russian,
English, Yiddish, Ukrainian
Co-sponsored by Sophie Pearlstein
Several first-generation Americans, with
roots in the former Soviet Union, travel
through the old Jewish areas of Ukraine.
The participants visit Lvov and Kiev,
once homes of great Jewish populations;
remember the lives of Jewish writers; and
visit the mournful places where thousands
of Jews were murdered. Along the way they
reflect on their own lives, assimilation and
fear of discrimination.
Israel, 2000, 82 min., Hebrew and English
Co-sponsored by Elaine & Eugene Driker,
Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring
Meet the legendary Bursteins! The glory
days of the Yiddish stage are brought to
life in this funny saga of an incomparable
theatrical family. Incorporating rare footage
and interviews with Yiddish stage veterans
including Fyvush Finkel, this briskly paced
documentary is bittersweet: filled with
laughter, tears, schmaltz and grit!
"Absolutely wonderful!"- Mel Brooks
Filmmaker Demetry Khavin has been
invited to attend the premiere.
Commerce
[I Rafting to Bombay
4/25
r iiiii
Oakland
University
4/15
Israel, 2008, 92 min., Hebrew
Sponsored by
the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation
"A Matter of Size" tells the story of Herzl,
a Jewish, overweight chef from Ramallah
who discovers the fine art of sumo wrestling
after landing a job as a dishwasher at
a Japanese restaurant. Annoyed with
his weight-loss group, Herzl sees sumo
wrestling as a revelation; it's the one sport
where weight is actually a benefit. Herzl
recruits three hefty friends to help him
achieve his goal. The result is a touching,
sweet, relatable and hilarious story about
self-love and acceptance.
"There have been unlikelier scenes in Israel
than four hugely overweight men running
barefoot down a highway wearing only the
hallmark red sumo loincloth, but I daresay
few funnier." - Jenni Frazer, The London
Jewish Chronicle
Nominated for 13 Israeli Academy Awards,
including Best Picture
USA, 2009, 70 min., English
Israel, 2009, 70 min., Hebrew
Co-sponsored by Sophie Pearlstein
Nahum Laufer was 5 years old when he
and his mother escaped from the Nazis and
found refuge in Bombay (today Mumbai).
Their journey was one of extraordinary
peril, yet viewed as an adventure, floating
along the Tigris River to a land filled with
wild animals and Indian princes, by the
young Nahum.
In November 2008, the Laufer family
traveled to Mumbai to see first-hand the
places Nahum stayed. When they arrive,
the city is under a horrific terrorist attack
that will ultimately leave 173 people dead.
Nahum's son tells his father's story, and his
grandmother's story, and ultimately his
own story in a film that provides an
unforgettable look at three generations
and the extraordinary experiences that
shape their lives.
Mumbai International Film Festival, 2010
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248.432.5461
Sponsored by Elaine & Michael
Serling, co-sponsored by the
Jewish Parents Institute
Sunday School
Observant Judaism meets pop culture in
"Goyband," a multi-themed comedy starring
Adam Pascal ("Rent"), Amy Davidson
("8 Simple Rules") and Natasha Lyonne
("American Pie"). The limelight is fading
for former boy-band sensation Bobby Starr.
Desperate, his agent Murray books a gig
for Adam at the grand opening of the Mazel
Hotel, the world's first glatt kosher casino,
located in the Catskills. Rebekka, daughter
of the hotel owner's, has had a crush on
Bobby forever. She's about to marry the
rabbi's son - then suddenly takes a leap
of faith and follows her heart.
"Comedy fans will want to check out 'Goy-
band'!" - Hannah Brown, The Jerusalem Post
"Lots of fun and laughter, too."
- Jeffrey Lyons, NBC
The Beetle
ZMIZZ
Oakland
University
4/15
Commerce
4/26
Israel, 2008, 70 min., Hebrew and Arabic
Sponsored by the Jewish Community
Center's Arts, Culture & Education
Department
"The Beetle" is the story of director
Yishai Orian's most prized possession:
his Volkswagen Beetle. Orian and wife are
about to start a family; she begs him to get
rid of the "bug" because it isn't suitable for
a baby. The mechanic also says it's time for
a new car. Orian remains determined.
On the surface his journey revolves around
the car. Yet much more is here as the movie
considers culture, politics and Orian's
passage to fatherhood.
www.jccdetorg