The Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival presents the best feature-films and documentaries from around the globe, on subjects of Jewish identity, culture, history and diversity. The ten-day festival which runs from May 12-21, 2011 is presented by The Rady Jewish Community Centre and The Asper Foundation Performances. All films will be screened at the Berney Theatre, Asper Jewish Community Campus.
 
“Great cinema enlightens and entertains and it is inspiring to see these unique and diverse films that capture the diversity of Jewish life and experience and are accessible to audiences of all cultural backgrounds” said Tamar Barr, Rady JCC Program Director.
 
2011 Festival Films
 
Human Resources Manager (Israel, 2010)
Thursday, May 12,    7:30   p.m.
Far from home, on a mission to honour a woman he didn't even know but has somehow grown to admire, the Human Resources Manager of Jerusalem’s largest bakery fights to regain his company's reputation - and possibly his own humanity.
 
The Matchmaker (Israel, 2010)
Friday, May 13, 5:00 p.m.
Arik, a teenage boy growing up in Haifa, Israel in 1968, gets a job working for Yankele Bride, a matchmaker. Yankele, a mysterious Holocaust survivor introduces Arik to a new world, built on the ruins of an old one. Avi Nesher's latest film mixes comedy with drama as it tells a
coming-of-age story unlike any you've ever seen before.
 
Anita (Argentina, 2009)
Saturday, May 14, 9:00 p.m.
Anita Feldman a young woman with Down syndrome lives and works with her mother (Oscar nominee Norma Aleandro) in their small stationery store in the Jewish neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. But one tragic morning changes everything when Anita is left alone, confused and helpless when the nearby Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (Jewish Community Centre) is bombed. This very touching feature reflects the hope of humanity in delicate and troubled times.  
 
5 Hours from Paris (Israel, 2010)Hamesh Shaot me’Pariz 
Sunday, May 15        2:00 pm
With working-class Tel Aviv, Israel as its setting this delightful romantic feature take a humorous yet gentle look at the hurdles of mid-life love between Yigal a born-and-bred Israeli taxi driver and Lina, a beautiful Russian immigrant and Yigal’s son’s music-teacher.
 
La Rafle (France, 2010) The Round-Up
Sunday, May 15        7:30 pm
A box-office hit in France, this true story has been hailed as an important step in France's acknowledgment of its complicity to round up 25,000 innocent Parisian Jews during the Nazi occupation. Over 13,000, mostly children, were incarcerated in the Vélodrome D'Hiver under unbearable conditions, and then shipped out to Auschwitz. Only one child ultimately survived and he is the central character in this harrowing drama. Buried away for 68 years, this infamous chapter of French history is brought to light.
 
The Klezmatics on Holy Ground (USA, 2010)
Monday, May 16       7:30 p.m.
Originally formed in 1986 in New York City’s East Village, The Klezmatics is the most dynamic, talented, and diverse band working in Jewish music. The Klezmatics is a dynamic bridge between the lost shetls (villages) of Eastern Europe and Jewish-Yiddish culture’s continuing force and relevance in 21st century North America and Europe. The feature-length documentary film is an intimate exploration of the band’s journey, and captures its essence for Jewish and non-Jewish audiences alike.
 
The Worst Company in the World (Israel, 2010)  Hahevra Hachi Grua Baolam
Tuesday, May 17       7:30 p.m.
Love and humour are plentiful, but success is scarce in a small Tel Aviv, Israel insurance agency where nothing runs as it should. Perennially on the verge of bankruptcy, the failing agency is run by three middle-aged, divorced, and not particularly successful men. This award-winning and refreshingly entertaining documentary also an endearing father-son journey.
 
Little Rose (Poland, 2010)  Róeyczka
Wednesday, May 18  7:30 p.m.
Loosely based on renowned Polish author Pawel Jasienica’s autobiography, Little Rose, the dangerous love triangle and hazardous play of emotions take place against the setting of 1968 mayhem and the antisemetic crusade unleashed to serve political purposes.
 
The Loners (Israel, 2009) Habodedim
Thursday, May 19       7:30 p.m.
A gripping, reality-inspired suspenseful film, The Loners tells of two naïve Russian immigrants in the Israeli army whose desire to fit in goes wrong when they are accused of betrayal. This riveting feature film depicts the fierce story of two individuals who stood up against an alienating system. The film exposes the hidden sides of these young immigrants whose true wish is to belong, to be Israeli.
 
Berlin 36 (Germany, 2009)
Friday, May 20                      5:00 p.m.
Inspired by the true story of Jewish athlete Gretel Bergmann, this is a remarkable piece of forgotten Olympic history. The Americans are threatening to boycott the Olympic Games if no Jewish athletes are on the German Olympic team. For this reason, Jewish high jumper Gretel Bergmann,  is invited to participate in a German training camp. Fearing humiliation should a Jew win the high jump, the Nazis pick an unknown female athlete named Marie Ketteler to beat Gretel in the Olympic qualifiers. It remains to be seen if the two will join forces to usurp the Nazi’s intrigues or if athletic ambitions win out.
 
Intimate Grammar (Israel, 2010)   Hadikduk HaPnimi
Saturday, May 21      9:00 p.m.
In Israel in the early 1960s, a new generation is growing up: the proud Israeli, the generation that will not go through another Holocaust. But alas, Hinda's son, Aharon, a sensitive boy with a highly developed inner world, does not quite fit the mold. During three years he does not grow a centimetre, until he realizes he is partly responsible for this, and so he embarks on a dangerous inner journey: to cross the boundary dividing childhood and adolescence.   
 
All foreign films are subtitled and subject to classification. Tickets and festival packages are available by calling the Rady Jewish Community Centre at 477-7510
or on-line at www.radyjcc.com 

Tickets:
Individual Ticket:                                                         $8.50 M / $10.50 NM
 
Five-Pack (Choose Five Films in Advance):            $30 M / $40 NM
 
Festival Pass (Access to all Festival Films)           $70 M / $90 NM                                                                                    
Prices include GST
 
TICKETS/INFO
Ph: 477-7510
www.radyjcc.com – Click on Ticket Central
 
Film Venue:
Berney Theatre
Asper Jewish Community Campus
123 Doncaster Street