Every week, Kristopher Pollard from Milwaukee Film and Radio Milwaukee’s Dori Zori talk about movies — because that’s what you do when you’re Cinebuds.
If you’ve listened to even one episode of this podcast, you know that Dori and Kpolly are naturally joyful people, especially when talking about movies. As much as that sunny disposition comes across when they get to pick apart the newest films at your local cineplex, it seems to brighten just a little bit more when the focus turns to one of Milwaukee’s growing lineup of film festivals.
A longstanding member of that family is the Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival, which will kick off its 27th annual event next Wednesday, Oct. 27. Starting that night and running through Oct. 31, a different movie will take the spotlight with a 7 p.m. showing at Marcus North Shore Cinema in Mequon. These stories cover everything from a case of mistaken identity to a wedding that stirs nearly every emotion, and they were hand-selected by our two guests on this episode.
From the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, Micki Seinfeld (director of special events) and Julie Lookatch (marketing director) are part of the team that takes on the arduous task of watching a bunch of great movies and then picking the best of the best for the festival. But their work is far from done at that point. They also extend the experience by tracking down local experts for post-film talkbacks, which follow every screening at this year’s event.
It’s hard not to feel a little boost listening to people talk about something they love, and this episode has a lot of that to go around. Enjoy it using the player at the top of the page, learn about all the films in this year’s festival below (including links to buy tickets for the screenings), and find more information about the 2024 Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival on the event webpage.
Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival lineup
Auction
2024 | Pascal Bonitzer | France
Thursday, Oct. 31 | 7 p.m. | North Shore Cinema
André Masson, an auctioneer at Scottie’s, receives a letter from a lawyer claiming that a worker in the east French suburbs of Mulhouse owns a painting by Egon Schiele. André’s first reaction is to believe that it can only be a fake. He decides to make the trip to inspect it anyway and, against all odds, the painting turns out to be a masterpiece gone missing in 1939. This could undoubtedly be the major turning point of his career, but after a brief investigation, he realizes that he has in his hands a looted work of art, with an opportunity to take an elevated path.
The Blond Boy From the Casbah
2023 | Alexandre Arcady | France
Monday, Oct. 28 | 7 p.m. | North Shore Cinema
Passionate filmmaker Antoine travels to his birthplace, Algiers, with his young son to present his new film: an account of his childhood in Algeria during the country's civil war in the 1960s. As he wanders through the city, the filmmaker immerses us in the moments of happiness, laughter, and tears of his youth — spent between school, friends, and his Jewish family. Growing up in the final moments of Algeria's pre-independence period, the young Antoine discovers his profound fascination with cinema and starts to understand who he truly is.
Here Lived
2023 | Jane Wells | Netherlands
Tuesday, Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | North Shore Cinema
German conceptual artist Gunter Demnig’s Stolpersteine ("stumbling stones") project provides a pathway to heal one of the most egregious wrongs of history and foster reconciliation throughout Europe. Each of the 100,000 stones in 30 countries honors the story and location of individual victims and generational trauma. One artist’s singular vision for healing has become the world's largest decentralized and meaningful memorial to Nazi atrocities.
Running on Sand
2023 | Adar Shafran | Israel
Sunday, Oct. 27 | 7 p.m. | North Shore Cinema
Aumari, a young Eritrean refugee living in Israel, is about to be deported back to his home country. After dodging authorities at the airport, he is mistaken for a Nigerian soccer player, who is supposed to arrive at the same time. Aumari seizes the opportunity and benefits from the change of identity as the new key acquisitions for the team of “Maccabi Netanya.” Despite the absence of any soccer talent, he hides his identity and heals the divisions of his struggling team. A tender romantic bond with the charmingly unconventional daughter of the team owner grows. Nominated for the Israel Academy Award Best Film, this sweet film melds humor and heart.
Seven Blessings
2023 | Ayelet Menahemi | Israel
Wednesday, Oct. 30 | 7 p.m. | North Shore Cinema
Seven Blessings won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Script, Best Actress and more in the Israel Academy Awards. Marie, traveled from France to Israel to marry her true love. Her excited Moroccan family prepares the custom of Seven Blessings, a week of festive meals honoring the marriage. Marie has also come to open old wounds. Between intoxicating meals, secrets, lies and wounds are revealed. Who should apologize, who should be thanked? The week of joy, many languages and errors and misinterpretation, turns the week into a sad tale of family custom, crimes, forgiveness and loss.
