11-day festival to feature acclaimed Jewish films

Post-film discussions are part of the festival.

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning Valley cinemaphiles have an opportunity to see some internationally acclaimed movies at the fifth annual Youngstown Area Jewish Festival.

Myra Benedikt, chairman of the festival, said if not for the festival, the five films would not be shown in the area. “I would also add that these films are enriching, educational, enlightening and add to the cultural landscape of our Valley,” she said.

The festival, which begins Sunday, is spread out over 11 days and three venues.

“We spread it out over two weeks because we think that people are busy with their lives and won't necessarily attend four nights of films in one week,” said Benedikt.

She explained the use of multiple venues: “The feature films come in a 35mm format, so we needed a place that had that capability. We used to screen the 35mm films at the Austintown Cinema, but that closed last year. USA Cinema at the Great East Plaza in Niles was happy to be our new home. We chose DeBartolo Hall at Youngstown State University because, since the festival is under the auspices of the YSU Judaic and Holocaust Studies Program committee, we wanted to house part of the festival on campus. And finally, Butler Institute of American Art was a natural for “The Rape of Europa” since the film is a documentary telling the epic story of the systematic theft and deliberate destruction of European artwork by the Nazis during World War II.”

The five films are the result of a selection process headed up by Benedikt and Pamela Palumbo, director of events management at YSU. The two women research many films before screening their choices for a selection committee comprised of members of the Jewish community and the Judaic and Holocaust Studies program at YSU.

“We choose films that would appeal to a wide audience, both age-wise and community-wise,” said Benedikt. “These films are critically acclaimed and have been screened at many of the major film festivals.” 

The lineup

The festival opens at 4 p.m. Sunday with “Live and Become’ at USA Cinema.

“Live and Become” tells the story of a Christian mother in Ethiopia who forces her 9-year-old son to declare himself Jewish in order to be included in the 1984 rescue mission staged by the Israeli secret service. Ethiopian Jews were taken from their famine-stricken country and transplanted in Israel. Separated from his mother, the lonely young boy must adjust to a new and complex country.

The film, directed by Radu Mihaileanu, won the Audience Award at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival. It will be followed by a discussion led by Sam Kooperman and Bill Benedikt, recent participants in a mission by North American Jews to Ethiopia.

Next in the series is a double feature at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at DeBartolo Hall auditorium. First will be “West Bank Story,” a 20-minute musical comedy about an Israeli soldier and a Palestinian fast food cashier who fall in love. Directed by Ari Sandel, “West Bank Story” won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Short Action Film.

Following “West Bank Story” will be “Blues by the Beach,” a documentary about an unplanned terrorist attack. Filmmaker Jack Baxter of the United States set out to show that bloodshed is not all that exists in Israel, and selected a beachfront bar in Tel Aviv for its laughter and music. He did not suspect that the bar would become the target of a suicide bomber. “Blues by the Beach” won the Conflict and Resolution Award at the Hamptons International Film Festival.

The festival continues at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Butler with “The Rape of Europa,” a documentary by Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen and Nicole Newnham. Winner of the 2006 Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Boston Jewish Film Festival, it tells of the theft of artwork by Nazis during World War II and the effort to return masterpieces to their rightful owners.

The final film is “Sweet Mud,” which will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at USA Cinema. Directed by Dror Shaul, “Sweet Mud” is set on a kibbutz in Israel in 1974. A poignant story of thwarted love, adolescent awakening, and human longing, “Sweet Mud” won the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema at Sundance, the Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and six Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Post-film discussions about life in Israel will follow the screenings of “Blues by the Beach” and “Sweet Mud.”