[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1570020314413{padding-bottom: 5px !important;}”]
The 23rd UK Jewish Film Festival begins on 6th November, bringing the best of contemporary Jewish cinema from around the world to Leeds.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Over two weeks, the annual flagship UK Jewish Film Festival showcases a wide range of feature films, documentaries and shorts, reflecting the diversity of Jewish and Israeli life and culture. Since its inception in 1996, the festival has welcomed over 300,000 visitors, bringing stories through film with Jewish content to communities who might otherwise not have the chance to see them.
This year’s programme, comprising 96 films, plus Q&As and discussions with directors, actors, politicians, journalists and others, is the largest Jewish film festival programme in the world. The film programme includes eight world premieres, one European premiere, 40 UK premieres, and films from 24 countries, including 23 films from the UK.
JLife checks out the four fantastic films set to grace the screens of Seven Arts and the MAZCC this November.
7th November
Love in Suspenders – Seven Arts
When absent-minded widow Tami accidentally hits 70-year-old widower Beno with her car, the last thing on her mind is love and romance. Trying to ensure Beno will not sue her, she invites him over to her apartment. Against her wishes, and although she finds it hard to move on following her husband’s death, Tami starts falling for Beno, who is head over heels in love with her. But will their budding relationship survive the scrutiny of their children? A charming romantic comedy for the young and young at heart.
10th November
God of the Piano – Seven Arts
A thoroughly absorbing psychological drama from Israeli director Itay Tal. When Anat, the scion of a distinguished musical family, learns that her newborn baby may become deaf, she decided in a moment or madness – or extreme clarity – to do the unthinkable, hoping that that would allow her to keep the family’s dream intact. This nuanced and suspenseful debut explores familial expectations, overpowering ambitions and the sacrifices we are willing to make in order to fulfil them.
11th November
King Bibi – MAZCC
Despite the numerous scandals, political maneuvers and recent indictments, Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu is on his way to becoming Israel’s longest serving prime minster. A master of political spin, Netanyahu has revolutionised Israeli society over the past two decades and become, in the process, one of the world’s most influential – and divisive – heads of state. Based solely on archive footage, this brilliantly revealing documentary attempts to explain Bibi’s continuing popularity through his carefully controlled and crafted public appearances.
20th November
Redemption – Seven Arts
Moshe Folkenflik (Driver) won the best actor award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this year for his role in this new absorbing Israeli drama. When Menachem, a former rock star who has become religious, hears about a new and expensive treatment that may save his six-year-old daughter’s life, he turns to his former bandmates and asks them to go on tour one last time. Reconnecting with his secular past brings back the conflicts and confusion of the life he left behind, but also offers a new hope of redemption.
For tickets and more information, contact Makor on 0113 268 0899 or Seven Arts on 0113 262 6777.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]