2021 Film Festival: March 5-25

 

We are excited to announce the dates of this year’s Virtual Mobile Jewish Film Festival! We hope you will join us in viewing seven of the best Jewish cinema and programming from the comfort of your own home.This year’s Film Festival is expanding and reaching a larger audience than ever in our 20 years! Partnered with Federations from Huntsville and Pensacola, we are proud to bring you an array of relevant programming to accompany the films from each of our Federations. You will be able to purchase full passes, sponsorships and tickets to our film lineup online through our virtual platform Elevent.

 

Rickie Voit & Barry Silverman

Co-Chairs, Mobile Jewish Film Festival

 

2021 Film Selections

2021 Film Selections

THE KEEPER

 

The Keeper tells the incredible true story of Bert Trautmann (David Kross, The Reader), a German soldier and prisoner of war who, against a backdrop of British post-war protest and prejudice, secures the position of Goalkeeper at Manchester City, and in doing so becomes a footballing icon. His signing causes outrage to thousands of fans, many of them Jewish. But Bert receives support from an unexpected direction: Rabbi Alexander Altmann, who fled the Nazis. Bert’s love for Margaret (Freya Mavor), an Englishwoman, carries him through and he wins over even his harshest opponents by winning the 1956 FA Cup Final, playing on with a broken neck to secure victory. But fate will soon twist the knife for Bert and Margaret when their love and loyalty to each other is put to the ultimate test.

MARCH 5, 6, 7

CRESCENDO

 

When world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck (Peter Simonischek, Toni Erdmann)  accepts the job to create an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he is quickly drawn into a tempest of sheer unsolvable problems. Having grown up in a state of war, suppression or the constant risk of terrorist attacks, the young musicians from both sides are far from able to form a team. Lined up behind the two best violinists – the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the handsome Israeli Ron – they form two parties who deeply mistrust each other, on and off-stage alike. Will Sporck succeed and make the young people forget their hatred, at least for the three weeks until the concert? With the first glimmer of hope, however, the political opponents of the orchestra show them how strong they are.

 

Sponsored by: Pensacola Jewish Federation

Special Guests: Dr. Victoria Adamenko, Doctorate of Musicology and Dr. Leonid Yankovskiy, Professor and Director of Strings and Orchestra, UWF will lead a pre-recorded discussion following the film.

 

MARCH 8, 9, 10

THE PICTURE OF HIS LIFE

 

Amos Nachoum is one of the greatest underwater photographers of all times. Fascinated by the most fearsome creatures on Earth, he has developed a unique approach, that puts him face to face with his subjects, without any protection. He swam with crocodiles and killer whales, with anacondas and with great white sharks but one major predator has always eluded him, the Polar bear. He tried before and barely escaped, but now, as he nears the end of his career, he is determined to give it one last shot. As the journey unfolds, Amos contemplates the series of unspoken events that drove him here, to the end of the world. It has been a long and painful journey, after serving in an Elite Commando unit and witnessing the horrors of war, but where others find fear, Amos finds redemption.

MARCH  11, 12, 13

INCITEMENT

 

Israel’s Best International Feature Oscar submission, this psychological thriller dramatizes the political and personal motivations behind Prime Minister Rabin’s assassination. The watershed tragedy is told through the perpetrator’s eyes, Jewish extremist Yigal Amir, spanning his Yemeni upbringing and failed relationships, to radicalization. As peace efforts mount to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the young zealot is egged on by national leaders, religious orthodoxy, and right-wing media, their ultranationalist rhetoric has seamlessly interwoven through archival footage. Featuring an unsettling central performance by Yehuda Nahari Halevi, this rigorously researched portrayal boasts 10 Israeli Academy Award nominations, including Best Film winner.
 
Special Guest: Dr. Michael Koplow, Policy Director, Israel Policy Forum will give an up-to-the-minute report on Israel.

MARCH 14, 15, 16

AULCIE

 

Aulcie tells the inspiring story of Aulcie Perry, a basketball legend who led Maccabi Tel Aviv to an upset win in the European Championship. During the summer of 1976, Aulcie Perry was spotted by a scout for Maccabi Tel Aviv while playing at the Rucker courts in Harlem and was quickly signed to play for their fledgling team. The Israeli players immediately responded to Aulcie’s leadership and that year they had what one Sports Illustrated writer described as “the most extraordinary season in its remarkable history” and what Perry later called “the best nine months of my life.” In 1977, Perry helped the team to its first European Championship, a prize they took four years later again under his leadership. After the season, to the surprise of many, Aulcie Perry converted to Judaism, adopted the Hebrew name Elisha Ben Avraham, and became an Israeli citizen. This inspiring film tells the story of this remarkable athlete who captured the spirit of a nation, triumphant and victorious against all odds, and put Israel on the map.
 
Sponsored by:Jewish Federation of Huntsville and North Alabama 
Special Guest: Dani Menkin, Director of the film, will conduct a LIVE question and answer session on March 21.

 

MARCH 17, 18, 19

HERE WE ARE

 

Set in Israel, Nir Bergman’s warm and moving tale of parental devotion focuses on divorced dad Aharon (Shai Avivi), who has given up his artistic career to look after his autistic son Uri (Noam Imber). They live a quiet life, and as the boy reaches young adulthood, his mother decides that he needs to be placed in a boarding facility more equipped to cater to his needs. Resistant at first, Aharon runs away on a road trip with Uri. But this break from their routine quickly leads to difficulties. With gentle humor, this beautiful film—winner of multiple Ophir Awards, including Best Director—examines the intricacies of love, disability and community, and change.  

MARCH 20, 21, 22

SHARED LEGACIES

 

The crucial historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation are revisited and revived in this utterly fascinating, urgent call to action. Common cause was found in the turbulent ‘60s Civil Rights era, as Jewish leaders backed Dr. King’s efforts at racial equality and harmony. Yet, the relationship has frayed in recent years, as a once-mighty bond of support and respect has seemingly faded, been forgotten or ignored. Pivotal events come alive through a treasure trove of archival materials, narrated by eyewitnesses, activists, Holocaust survivors, and leaders of the movement, including prominent Atlantans such as Congressman John Lewis, Amb. Andrew Young, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, Rabbi Peter S. Berg, Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., members of the King family, and many others.
 
Special Guest: Dr. Shari Rogers, director of Shared Legacies will share her reflections on the film and her efforts to bring about social change. 

MARCH 23, 24, 25