A Matter Of Size
Upper & Lower Valley Shows
Sat., March 13

Come early for pre-film nosh!
Reception 7:00 PM
Film 7:30 PM
Greenfield Garden Cinemas, Greenfield
Tickets available only at the Garden Cinema box office and www.gardencinemas.net

7:30 PM
Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield
PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Herzl is an overweight, underemployed chef living at home with his mother in the Israeli city of Ramla. Unable to find a cooking job, he becomes a dishwasher at a Japanese restaurant. One day he notices his coworkers watching sumo wrestling on TV. To Herzl, sumo is a revelation, an escape from the dictatorship of diets espoused by his weight-loss group. With three hefty pals in tow, Herzl decides to pursue the sport where his size is an asset. Reminiscent of crowd-pleasers like The Full Monty, this film follows a tender and funny path from body shame to celebration, and from loneliness to love.

Co-sponsors: Anna P. Housen Israel Desk of the Jewish Federation of Western Mass.; Consulate General of Israel to New England

Dramatic Comedy | 2009 | 92 min. | Hebrew, Japanese w/ English subtitles | Directors: Sharon Maymon and Erez Tadmor

Website | Trailer Link

Ajami
Closing Night Sneak Peek! - JUST 10 TICKETS LEFT! (as of 3/22)

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE - Best Foreign Film
Wed., March 24
7:00 PM
Amherst Cinema, Amherst

Winner of 5 Israeli Oscars, including Best Picture, Ajami offers a tragic portrait of life in the city of Jaffa. While reflecting on much larger issues, the film's focus is on the characters - played by non-actors and created with understanding by two Israeli directors: an Arab and a Jew. One critic said, "It manages to open the eyes of those who thought their eyes were already open." Film Talk! by Dr. Olga Gershenson, Asst. Professor Judaic and Near Eastern Studies, UMass-Amherst.

Co-sponsors: Anna P. Housen Israel Desk of the Jewish Federation of Western Mass.; Massachusetts Multicultural Film Fesival

Drama | 2009 | 120 min. | Arabic, Hebrew w/ English subtitles | Directors: Yaaron Shani & Scandar Copti | Tickets available only at the Amherst Cinema box office or online at www.amherstcinema.org

Website | Trailer Link 1 | Trailer Link 2
 
 

Bewoket: By The Will Of God
Sun., March 14
3:00 PM
Seelye 106, Smith College, Northampton

In 1990, Dr. Rick Hodes, an Orthodox Jew from the USA, went to Ethiopia to set up medical clinics. Almost 20 years later, he continues to treat thousands, among them a group of boys who live with him following life-saving surgeries. Bewoket provides a rare look at "Dr. Rick" and his dedication to making life richer for the most vulnerable, whether Christian, Muslim or Jewish. This short film will be shown with Seeking the 36 and introduced by teens from the B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program.

Co-sponsor: B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program

Doc. | 2009 | 66 min.. | English, Amharic w/ English subtitles | Directors: Andrea Mydlarz Zeller & Sam Shnider | PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Website | Trailer Link

Camera Obscura
Tues., March 23
7:00 PM
Stoddard Hall, Smith College, Northampton

Gertrudis is born as her parents' ship arrives in Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th century. Labeled ugly, she tends to blend into the background, especially when photographed. She is married off to an older, wealthy Jewish rancher and appears to have a happy life. One day, however, her husband hires an itinerant photographer and she is strangely drawn to this handsome yet physically imperfect man. Film Talk! by Silvia Berger, Argentine-born Professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies, Smith College.

Co-sponsor: Smith College Jewish Studies Program

Drama | 2008 | 86 min. | Spanish, Yiddish w/ English subtitles | Director: Maria Victoria Menis | PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Website | Trailer Link

City Of Borders
Sat., March 20
8:00 PM
Wright Hall, Weinstein Auditorium, Smith College, Northampton

Would you risk being shot or arrested just to go dancing at a bar? What if that were the only place you felt safe to be yourself? City of Borders follows five gay and lesbian Israelis and Palestinians as they navigate the minefield of politics, religion, family, and discrimination in order to live and love openly. This inspiring, thought-provoking film is a must-see. Film Talk! by Idit Klein, Exec. Director of Keshet, working to create a welcoming GLBT Jewish community.

Co-sponsor: Out! For Reel Film Series

Doc. | 2009 | 66 min. | English, Arabic, Hebrew w/ English subtitles | Director: Yun Suh | Tickets available online at www.outforreel.org; at our outlets; and at the door.

Website | Trailer Link

Crossing Delancey
Sat., March 20
8:00 PM
Memorial Hall, Shelburne Falls

Come early for pre-film pickle tasting!

This film slowly simmers one big question: Will Izzy Grossman (Amy Irving) choose the right man? Her choices: artsy Manhattan author Anton Maes and humble pickle salesman Sam Posner (Peter Riegert). Both men stand on opposite sides of Izzy's emotional divide: her literary existence as the manager of a snooty Manhattan bookstore, and her roots as the granddaughter of her aging Lower East Side chicken-soup-pushing Bubbie. Riegert's confident portrayal of Sam shines with warmth and Irving was a hit in this classic date night flick from the '80s.

Co-sponsor: Pothole Pictures

Romantic Comedy | 1988 | 97 min. | English | Director: Joan Miklin Silver Tickets only available at the door, $6 (1980s prices for a 1980s film!)

Trailer Link

Four Seasons Lodge
Mon., March 15, 4:00 PM
Tues., March 16, 7:00 PM
Wed., March 17, 10:30 AM
Pleasant Street Theater, Northampton

NY Times reporter Andrew Jacobs and documentary filmmaker/cinematographer Albert Maysles document the last season of a Catskills bungalow colony that for 30 years has served as a summer getaway for a group of Holocaust survivors. This life-affirming film is about their tight friendships and quest for inner-peace despite haunting memories. The spirit and energy of this community is reflected in the raucous poker games, intoxicating laughter, and lively dancing that goes on till dawn.

Doc. | 2009 | 97 min. | English, Yiddish w/ English subtitles | Director: Andrew Jacobs | Tickets available only at the Pleasant Street box office and online at www.amherstcinema.org

Website | Trailer Link
 

Inside Hana's Suitcase
Tues., March 23
7:00 PM
Marsh Memorial Chapel, Springfield College, Springfield

This film tells the present-day story of how a group of Japanese children and their tenacious teacher solved the mystery of Hana Brady, whose name was painted on an old battered suitcase they received from Auschwitz. A Holocaust story unlike any other, this is a remarkable film brought to life through the contemporary young voices of three groups of children from Japan, Canada and the CzechRepublic. The children act as omniscient narrators and make the story their own, seamlessly transporting us through 70 years of history, and back and forth across three continents. It is a film of astonishing power and hope. Film will be introduced by Corrie Trattner, Springfield College Holocaust Committee.

Co-sponsor: Springfield College Holocaust Committee

Doc. | 2009 | 88 min. | English | Director: Larry Weinstein | PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Website | Trailer Link

Seeking The 36
Sun., March 14
3:00 PM
Seelye 106, Smith College Northampton

Follow the quixotic quest of teenager Nico Lanson to find the Lamed Vov, the 36 Just Souls of Jewish folklore, here in the world today. According to myth, without the presence of these anonymous individuals, the planet will collapse into a state of chaos, destruction and despair.  Nico talks with ordinary people and spiritual authorities including Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Jewish renewal movement founder, who advises she become the change she seeks. Shown with Bewoket and introduced by teens from the B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program. Filmmakers will be present.

Co-sponsor: B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program

Doc. | 2009 | 30 min. | English | Directors: Stephen Billias, Dennis & Nico Lanson | PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Trailer

Stumbling Stone
Thurs., March 11

7:00 PM

National Yiddish Book Center Amherst

Is there a right way to remember Holocaust victims? Take a road trip with artist Gunter Demnig as he installs thousands of "stumbling stones" in pavements across Germany and Austria, creating the world's largest decentralized memorial. Each stone has a brass plate with details of the deported person who once lived there, a potent reminder to passers-by. Reaction differs from town to town and requests for more stones pour in. Film Talk! by James Wald, Professor of Modern European Cultural History, Hampshire College.

Co-sponsor: Posen Project for the Study of Secular Jewish History and Culture at Hampshire College

Doc. | 2007 | 75 min. | German w/ English subtitles | Director: Dorte Franke | PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Website  | Trailer Link

The Life And Times Of Hank Greenberg
Upper & Lower Valley Shows

Thurs., March 18
1:00 PM
Springfield JCC, Springfield
PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Sun., March 21
3:00 PM
Pleasant Street Theater, Northampton
Tickets for this show available only at the Pleasant Street
box office and online at www.amherstcinema.org

As one Festival screening volunteer said, "Who knew that a sports un-enthusiast like me would love this film?" Tall, handsome, and good-natured, Hank Greenberg was a secular Jew from the Bronx who became an icon as the first Jewish star in the major leagues. Aviva Kempner's loving tribute is full of wonderful old footage and interviews with Greenberg and his Tiger teammates. You don't need to love baseball to love this film, but no baseball fan - young or old - will want to miss it!

Doc. | 1999 | 95 min. | English | Director: Aviva Kempner

Website | Trailer Link

The Little Traitor
Mid-Fest Celebration!
Wed., March 17
Reception 6:30 PM
Film 7:30 PM
Showcase Cinemas, West Springfield

Based on Amos Oz's novel Panther in the Basement, this uplifting family-friendly film centers around the unlikely bond between a kind British soldier and a spirited boy in 1947 Palestine. Eleven year-old Proffy wishes for the departure of occupying British forces, but a chance encounter with Sergeant Dunlap leads to a controversial friendship among ostensible foes.

Co-sponsors: Anna P. Housen Israel Desk of the Jewish Federation of Western Mass.; Consulate General of Israel to New England

Drama | 2008 | 88 min. | English, Hebrew | Director: Lynn Roth | PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Website | Trailer Link
 

The Worst Company In The World
Upper & Lower Valley Shows/Discussions

Thurs., March 11
7:00 PM
Mills Theatre, Bay Path College, Longmeadow
Free

Thurs., March 18
7:00 PM
Amherst Cinema, Amherst
Tickets to this screening available only at the Amherst Cinema box office and online at www.amherstcinema.org

Love and humor are plentiful, but success is scarce in a small Tel Aviv family business where nothing runs as it should. Always on the verge of bankruptcy, the agency is run by two brothers and a friend: three well-educated, middle-aged men who don't seem to value "the bottom line." This award-winning film offers an amusing look at the firm over one fiscal year, as the manager's son (the film's director) joins this motley crew in a last-ditch attempt to save the business. This is a personal documentary, as well as an endearing father-son journey. The dilemmas faced by the characters present excellent fodder for discussion. Film Talk! facilitated by Ira Bryck, UMass Family Business Center and invited panelists. March 11: Lauren Way, Entrepreneurial Programs, Bay Path College with Lyne Kendall, Mass. Small Business Development Center. March 18: Peter Zimmer, family business consultant with Jayne Pearl, author of Kids, Wealth & Consequences: Ensuring a Responsible Financial Future for the Next Generation.

Co-sponsors: UMass Family Business Center; Bay Path College Kaleidoscope Series; Consulate General of Israel to New England

Doc. | 2009 | 50 min. | Hebrew w/ English subtitles | Director: Regev Contes

Website | Trailer Link   

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
Tues., March 16
1:00 PM
Springfield JCC, Springfield

This humorous and eye-opening story chronicles the most famous woman in America you never heard of. Gertrude Berg was the creator, principal writer, and star of The Goldbergs, a popular radio show for 17 years, and then TV's first character-driven sitcom in 1949. Winner of the first Best Actress Emmy, she paved the way for women in the entertainment industry. The film includes interviews with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Norman Lear, and NPR's Susan Stamberg.

Doc. | 2009 | 92 min. | English | Director: Aviva Kempner | PVJFF tickets accepted and sold at the door.

Website | Trailer Link