Washington Jewish Film Festival December 1-11 Screenings held at AFI Silver December 3-10 Presented by the Washington DC Jewish Community Center's Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts Co-sponsored by the Embassy of Israel and Washington Jewish Week Innovative. Independent. Invigorating. International. New and award-winning films from around the world bring to life stories, issues and ideas that open minds and change people's perspectives, while exploring the great diversity and universality of the Jewish experience. This year's festival consists of more than 50 films, screening at the Washington DCJCC and numerous venues around DC and Maryland. Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497. No AFI passes accepted.

JE T'AIME, I LOVE YOU TERMINAL
Mid-Atlantic Premiere!

In Person: director Dani Menkin

Ben, a 29-year-old Israeli, can never make up his mind. Talk about commitment phobia! He finally gets himself on the plane to New York to begin a new life with his girlfriend only to meet the charming, outrageous and somewhat dysfunctional Emma, who invents stories about herself and always seems to fall for the wrong guys. When the pair miss their flight connections, they spend 24 hours in Prague flirting, arguing, laughing and lying...all while reconsidering their plans for travel, life, love and relationships. With a small budget and crew, director Dani Menkin (39 POUNDS OF LOVE) has created a romantic and honest film, starring Israeli musician Danny "Mookie" Niv as Ben and Naruna De-Macedo Kaplan as Emma.

DIR/SCR Dani Menkin; SCR Alon Benari, Hagai Lapid; PROD Ilan Heitner, Motti Adiv. Israel/Czech Republic, 2010, color, 80 min. In English and Hebrew with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-soonsored by the Embassy of Israel. Presented in partnership with the DCJCC's EntryPointDC.

Sat, Dec 3, 7:00

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

KADDISH FOR A FRIEND [Kaddish für einen Freund]
Mid-Atlantic Premiere!

Growing up in a Palestinian refugee camp, 14-year-old Ali (Neil Belakhdar) learned to hate Jews at an early age. After he and his family escape to a new life in Berlin, Ali longs to be accepted by his fellow Arab youths in the public housing project. In a test to prove himself, Ali breaks into the apartment of his neighbor Alexander (Ryszard Ronczewski, ALONG COME TOURISTS), an elderly Russian Jewish war veteran. But Ali's "friends" follow him into the apartment and vandalize it with abandon. When Alexander unexpectedly returns home, he recognizes only Ali and reports him to the police. To avoid being sentenced and deported, Ali is forced to seek the trust and forgiveness of his enemy.

DIR/SCR Leo Khasin; PROD Martin Bach. Germany, 2011, color, 94 min. In Arabic and German with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Goethe-Institut Washington.

Sat, Dec 3, 9:15

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

INCESSANT VISIONS – LETTERS FROM AN ARCHITECT

German Jewish architect Erich Mendelsohn created striking buildings that seem to pulse with energy. Fleeing the Nazis, he arrived in London's Victoria Station, pulled out a pencil and told a friend, "Look, I brought my office with me!" In England, he met Chaim Weitzman, the future president of Israel, who invited Mendelsohn to become its "national architect." Eventually he landed in the US, having weathered a turbulent time in history with his energy and creative vision intact. Director Duki Dror (TAGASIM, WJFF 2003) captures Mendelsohn's story using letters exchanged with the architect's wife, as well as drawings, contemporary images and reflections from his granddaughter, other architects and the people who use these timeless structures today. Honorable Mention, Jerusalem Film Festival 2011.

DIR/SCR/PROD Duki Dror; SCR Galia Dror. Israel, 2011, color and b&w, 70 min. In German and Hebrew with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

OMER 5769
World Premiere!

In Person: artist and director Doni Silver Simons

This short film offers an intimate and compelling portrait of an artistic process that has profound cultural and social relevance beyond its religious underpinnings. The work by Doni Silver Simons creates a meditation on art, change and the temporary nature of things often considered permanent.

DIR Jonathan Skurnik, Doni Silver Simons. US, 2010, 10 min. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of Israel, Goethe-Institut Washington and America-Israel Cultural Foundation.

Sun, Dec 4, 1:00

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

LENIN IN OCTOBER
DC Premiere!

Grisha is a chef with his own very unique ideas about food. He has almost given up on his dream of opening a restaurant when a rich uncle in Russia dies and leaves all of his money to his beloved nephew for the very purpose of opening a restaurant. But there is a catch. The uncle was a sworn Communist all of his life and, to get the money, Grisha must dedicate the restaurant to the sacred values of Communism. What matters to Grisha is not ideology, but his dream. But how can he overcome the demands of his uncle's will, his own father's objections, a staff that suddenly takes up Communist ideals and the challenge of finding a statue of Lenin in Israel? Special Jury Mention and Special Prize to Lead Actor, Haifa International Film Festival 2010.

DIR/SCR Evgeny Ruman; SCR Arcadi Karsilchikov; PROD Chilik Michaeli, Avraham Pirchi, Tami Leon, Julia Schifter. Israel, 2010, color, 50 min. In Russian and Hebrew with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Preceded by:

ORDERS OF LOVE

Armed with a camera, humor and a warm heart, director Jes Benstock (THE HOLOCAUST TOURIST) explores his family history of murder, migration, suicide and survival in an attempt to free his young son from his family's complex legacy. Poignant and funny, this documentary brings to light some simple but elusive truths about love in troubled families. ICA Best of Festival, London Short Film Festival 2005.

DIR/SCR/PROD Jes Benstock; SCR Graeme Kennedy; PROD Tracy Bass. UK, 2004, color, 10 min. NOT RATED
Co-sponsored by the Embassy of Israel and America-Israel Cultural Foundation.

Sun, Dec 4, 3:00

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

IN HEAVEN UNDERGOUND: THE WEISSENSEE JEWISH CEMETERY [Im Himmel unter der Erde]
Mid-Atlantic Premiere!

In Person: director Britta Wauer

This is an enchanting, uplifting film about a cemetery — the largest active Jewish burial ground in Europe, 100 acres of splendid wooded land known as the Weissensee Jewish Cemetery. Although located in Berlin, the cemetery has operated for 130 years continuously under Jewish authority, even during the Nazi regime. Walking through the cemetery is like taking a walk through history with a long list of famous notables buried there. Above all, this is a place where families come in search of their ancestors' graves while others mourn the recent deaths of loved ones, creating a place of personal connection where life and the immortality of memories are celebrated. Panorama Audience Award, Berlin International Film Festival.

DIR/SCR/PROD Britta Wauer. Germany, 2011, color, 90 min. In English, German and Russian with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Goethe-Institut Washington. Presented in partnership with the DCJCC Leo & Anna Smilow Center for Jewish Living and Learning.

Mon, Dec 5, 7:00

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

WUNDERKINDER
US Premiere!

In Person: composer Martin Stock

In Poltava, Ukraine, in 1941, three exceptionally talented children develop deep friendships that overcome their different religions, nationalities and social classes. The two Jewish children Larissa and Abrascha, are virtuosos — one on the piano and the other on the violin. Hanna, a young German girl, is also extremely gifted. The three find they have more in common than their love of music. But when the Nazis invade the Soviet Union, all of their families are in terrible danger. Suddenly, the children's world is turned upside down and they are no longer allowed to be friends. Best Screenplay, Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth 2011. Avner Shalev Yad Vashem Chairman's Award, Jerusalem Film Festival 2011.

DIR/SCR Marcus O. Rosenmüller; SCR Stephen Glantz, Kris Karathomas, Rolf Schübel; PROD Alice Brauner, Artur Brauner. Germany, 2011, color, 100 min. In German with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Goethe-Institut Washington.

Mon, Dec 5, 9:15

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

The Power and the Passion of Sports

What will individuals do for the sake of sport? What bridges of understanding can sports build between people across political and cultural differences? Two films explore the passion and power of sport in the lives of individuals and nations.

MY CHAMPION [Aluf Ha'Olam Sheli]
East Coast Premiere!

Meir Mohar want to make it big. With a one-way plane ticket, he heads to the US to realize his dream of becoming the world boxing champion. The film follows this golden boy of Israeli boxing for five years, from his first lonely, confused steps in New York to workouts with legendary trainer Hector Rocca, to his accomplishments in boxing matches all over the US and, finally the world championship match in Atlanta. All the while, his mother is torn between wanting to be supportive of her beloved son's dream and her unending worry about the dangerous business he has chosen. In the end, Mohar fights as much for his identity as he does his dream.

DIR/SCR/PROD Ari Davidovick; DIR Gideon Boaz; SCR/PROD Micky Laron. Israel, 2010, color, 50 min. In English and Hebrew with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Screening with:

TACKLING PEACE
US Premiere!

Scheduled to appear: Tanya Oziel

It began as a crazy dream of Tanya Oziel, an Australian mum passionate for Australian football and Middle East peace. This dynamic woman inspires a rag tag group of Israeli and Palestinian men, who have never even heard of the game, to compete on the same team for the "footy" world cup. Narrated by Hugo Weaving (LORD OF THE RINGS, THE MATRIX, CAPTAIN AMERICA), this intimate, behind-the-scenes story follows the young men as they try to set aside a lifetime of prejudice and hatred in their remarkable quest to show the world a picture of cooperation across the divide of politics and war. Provincia Di Milano Award for Outstanding Film, International Festival in Milan 2010.

DIR/SCR/PROD Marc Radomsky. Australia, 2009, color, 55 min. In English, Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of Israel and Embassy of Australia.

Tue, Dec 6, 7:00

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

IN ANOTHER LIFETIME [Veilleicht in einem anderen Leben]
DC Premiere!

Near the end of World War II, 20 Hungarian Jews walk through the countryside en route to a death camp under the watchful eyes of their somewhat reluctant Nazi keepers. A bored young SS officer casually shoots and kills a dazed elderly captive and locks the remaining 19 Jews in the barn of a surly farmer and his wife while the officer enjoys the hospitality of village leaders. Hoping to win over the locals and ensure their safety, the captive group — which includes an operatic tenor wearing the tatters of his stage costume — decides to stage an operetta for the Nazi-sympathizing townspeople. Inspired by actual events, surprising comedic elements and acts of compassion and strength shine as the story moves toward a sobering final twist.

DIR Elisabeth Scharang; SCR Silke Hassler, Peter Turrini, based on their play; PROD Dieter Pochlatko. Austria, 2010, color, 94 min. In German with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of Austria.

Tue, Dec 6, 9:15

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

EICHMANN'S END: LOVE, BETRAYAL, DEATH [Eichmann's Ende – Liebe, Verrat, Tod]
DC Premiere!

Two years after the end of WWII, Adolph Eichmann lived undetected as a chicken farmer in northern Germany. Then he disappeared. This unknown story of finding Eichmann in Argentina begins as a love story between Silvia, a Jewish girl and daughter of a Holocaust survivor, and Eichmann's son. When Silvia's blind father, Luther Hermann, recognizes the boy's father as SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer Adolf Eichmann, Silvia faces a dilemma, as her father persists in getting the Mossad to confirm the Nazi commander's identity. The lushly rendered film is based, in part, on recorded interviews conducted by a journalist and former SS officer in his Buenos Aires home. A chilling examination of evil, the film also looks at those who seek justice and revenge.

DIR/SCR Raymond Ley; PROD Jasmin Gravenhorst, Harmut Klenke. Germany/Israel, 2010, color and b&w, 90 min. In German, Hebrew and Spanish with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of Israel, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Goethe-Institut Washington.

Thu, Dec 8, 7:00

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

REUNITING THE RUBINS
US Premiere!

Lenny Rubins (Timothy Spall) is an uptight lawyer finally beginning to relax on a much-needed retirement cruise when his ailing mother (Honor Blackman) emotionally blackmails him into a reunion with his estranged children. They may be peas from the same pod, but in Lenny's eyes his grown children are certainly not from the same planet. There's the hard-nosed, survival-of-the-fittest capitalist; the outspoken eco-warrior with a secret life; the Buddhist monk and, to cap it off, a strictly by-the-book, born-again rabbi. It is going to take a lot of soul searching, sacrifice and hard-fought change for this family to overcome their quarrels, find the best in each other and unite in the face of crisis.

DIR/SCR/PROD Yoav Factor; PROD Jonathan Weissler. UK, 2011, color, 97 min. NOT RATED

Thu, Dec 8, 9:15

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

DAVID
DC Premiere!

In Person: director Joel Fendelman and executive producer Stephanie Levy

As the son of the Imam of a Brooklyn mosque, 11 year-old Daud has to juggle the high expectations of his father with his own feelings of isolation and his struggle to fit in in his own family, community and the wider world. An innocent act of good faith leads Daud to inadvertently befriend a group of Jewish boys who mistake him has a fellow classmate at their Orthodox school in the neighboring Jewish community. A genuine friendship grows between Daud and the boys. Unable to resist the joy of a camaraderie that he has never known before, David, as he is known to the Jewish boys, is drawn into a complicated dilemma inspired by the best of intentions. Ecumenical Prize, Montreal World Film Festival 2011; Audience Award, Brooklyn Film Festival 2011.

DIR/SCR/PROD Patrick Daly; DIR Joel Fendelman; PROD Julian Schwartz. US, 2011, color, 80 min. NOT RATED

Sat, Dec 10, 7:00

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.

LOVE DURING WARTIME

Jasmin and Assi are newlyweds, but building a life together seems impossible for the Jewish dancer and Muslim artist in this tender, honest Romeo and Juliet story drawn from today's headlines. All the couple wants to do is create a life together removed from politics, religion and history. But this seems impossible in a land where fallout from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict means both of their communities turn their backs, disapproving of such a union. As the couple's frustration and outrage increase, they are forced to search for a new life together in Europe. Their hopes rise and then fade with each bureaucratic hurdle. Can their love survive?

DIR Gabriella Bier; PROD Tobias Janson, Jenny Örnborn. Sweden, 2010, color, 92 min. In English, Hebrew, Arabic and German with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Co-sponsored by the Embassy of Sweden.

Sat, Dec 10, 9:15

Advance tickets for all screenings can be purchased ONLY online at wjff.org or boxofficetickets.com, or by calling 800.494.8497.