JIFF bookings open today and Eddie Tamir tells us what is in store
The eighth Jewish International Film Festival had a soft opening on the weekend at its new Sydney home at the Randwick Ritz.
Eddie Tamir
Before a packed house saw the Israeli film The Other Story, Artistic Director Eddie Tamir set out what is store for filmgoers at this JIFF festival which starts officially on October 22.
There will be 800 screenings over five weeks across venues in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Tamir the Sydney audience that The Ritz is being updated before JIFF to allow ticketed seatings and is offering discounted parking next door to the cinema.
He announced: “The popcorn is kosher and we stock kosher wine.
After trawling the globe for the last 12 months we can’t wait to share our smorgasbord of JIFF delights, with over 60 films.”
Speaking about JIFF’s offerings this year, Eddie Tamir told the audience: “One of the strongest themes to emerge is that of new Jewish migrants transcending the odds to forge new pathways and achieve groundbreaking things in their new countries:
There is no need go no further than Sydney’s very own Frank Lowy in what will become of us, hit of the Sydney Film Festival.
Carl Laemmle founder of Universal pictures
Jacques Bolsey inventor of the Bolex camera
Joe and Ben Weider creators of the bodybuilding industry [Bigger]
Michael Curtiz the director of Casablanca
Alfred Lion and Francis Wolf founders of Blue note Jazz label. (It Must Schwing)
Joseph Pulitzer newspaper magnate and international prize benefactor
Lea Gottlieb creator of the Gottex bather label
And Dr Ruth Westheimer the survivor and IDF sniper who became the groundbreaking sex therapist. The RBG of sex.
Ask Dr Ruth is our opening night film and join us for a great celebration with wine, food and tunes from Sam Weiss and 33 degrees.”
He touched on other types of films being shown.
He said: “We have some great fun films too:
Mossad is currently the biggest box office film in Israel and it is a spoof on the Mossad in the spirit of the Naked Gun.
And one of the trailers you will see today is the hit French comedy Would I Lie to You: The Beginning Where We Learn The Origins Of The Sepahardi/Shamatted Chevreh Of Paris.”
There will be Australian films being screened.
Man on the Bus by Melbourne in which the psychologist and filmmaker Eva Ash investigates and uncovers her Holocaust survivor mothers gripping secrets.
Eddie Tamir added: “Proudly we invest in two short films each year. This year’s winners are Joel Kohn and Karen Pearlman. The premiere of both films will be presented and screened together.”
He said he was often asked why there are so many Holocaust-themed films produced every year and said it was a tough question to answer.
He pointed out: “What I do know is that firstly incredible untold stories continue to be unearthed. And secondly and film makers choose the period to tell their stories because they unfortunately resonate with contemporary racism and antisemitism.
Which brings us to our closing night film when we have the privilege to host the Australian premiere of Jojo Rabbit directed by Taika Watiti (aka Taika Cohen) and starring himself and Scarlet Johanssen. Taika describes the film as an anti-hate satire and it is fresh from winning the prestigious Toronto film festival audience award.
We have a great line up of Israeli films including the entire TV series on the Dayan family the Kennedys of Israel and the oh so timely King Bibi which explores the way Bibi refined his public speaking skills and performance, Rabbi from Hizbollah the hard to believe true story of the Lebanese Muslim shepherd who spied for Israel and The Other Story. directed by master director Avi Nesher which was the biggest film in Israel last year
He finished off by saying: “Enjoy the program. Discover the small gems too.
Read the event pages that include overseas filmmakers, dancing mambo in the foyer for our Mamboniks film. Enter our food competition; this year it is the best Babaganoush contest.
Take the month off and See you at the movies.”
The full program is available on www.jiff.com.au.
