The Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival will take place this year from May 22-June 10 with an exceptional lineup of curated films, from the thought-provoking to the toe tapping, from laugh-out- loud comedies to history-minded dramas and documentaries. More than 30 screenings of films from around the globe will be presented throughout the three week-long festival, on subjects of Jewish identity, culture, history and diversity. The acclaimed WIJFF is presented by the Rady JCC and The Asper Foundation Performances.

Tickets go on sale May 1. www.radyjcc.com /(204) 477-7510

An Act of Defiance

Friday, June 8, 5:00 pm

Talk Back moderated by author Meira Cook.

In this riveting historical drama, 10 political activists (including Nelson Mandela and his inner circle of Black and Jewish supporters) face a possible death sentence for conspiracy to commit sabotage. (South Africa/Netherlands 2017)

https://www.menemshafilms.com/act-of-defiance

Big Sonia

Sunday, May 27, 2:00 pm

Monday, June 4, 1:00 pm

In a defunct shopping mall, 91-year-old Sonia Warshawski – great-grandmother, businesswoman and Holocaust survivor runs the tailor shop. A poignant story of generational trauma and healing, and a laugh-out-loud-funny portrait of the power of love to triumph over bigotry. (USA, 2017)

https://bigsonia.com/trailer-media/

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

Friday, May 25, 5:00 pm

Hedy Lamar’s inventions were the forerunner of Blue Tooth and Wi-Fi.  This fascinating documentary includes interviews about how Lamarr struggled to overcome a one dimensional reputation and make people get past her face. (USA, 2017)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqXKZznmnoM

Bye Bye Germany Es war einmal in Deutschland

Thursday, June, 7:30 pm

With a jaunty klezmer-style score and Yiddish-inflected dialogue, this fresh historical perspective is an utterly engaging salute to European Jewish who chose to tough out painful memories to reclaim their lives. (Germany/Luxembourg/Belgium, 2017)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oanp-yQrE_g

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The Cakemaker HaOfe MeBerlin

Tuesday, May 29, 1:00 pm

Sunday, June 3, 4:00 pm

Unwittingly united in grief by a closeted affair, a gay German baker and weary Israeli widow seek mutual catharsis, in The Cakemaker, a compassionate meditation on the human urge for connection. (Israel/Germany, 2017)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ7144Mc2lw

Centerpiece Film & Reception

Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel

Wednesday, May 30, 7:00 p.m.

Josh Zeid, former American Professional Baseball Player & Pitcher for Team Israel in attendance.

Moderated by Matthew Leibl, former broadcaster for TSN 1290 Radio.

 Israel’s baseball team was the underdog of underdogs when they made it to the finals of the 2017 World Baseball Championships in Korea. No one expected Team Israel to make it as far as they did. Heading Home follows the players on their first trip to Israel, and hopefully Israel’s first baseball championship. USA, 2017) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUitYwP9VyI

The Invisibles Die Unischtbaren

Friday, June 1, 5:00 p.m.

 June 1943, and The Third Reich infamously declares Berlin judenfrei—free of Jews. But at that moment, there are 7,000 Jews still living there—hiding in attics, basements and warehouses, This innovative, “hybrid” film interweaves dramatic re-enactments with actual testimony to bring edge-of-the-seat suspense to the screen. (Germany, 2017) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=regTYFeOtug 

Opening Night Film & Reception

Itzhak

Tuesday, May 22, 7:00 p.m.

Talk Back moderated by James Manishen, Artistic Operations Associate, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

This intimate and enchanting documentary of violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman takes us from the first years of the boy born to non- musical Polish Immigrants in pre-Israel Tel Aviv, to Julliard in New York and then to the great stages of concert music.  (USA, 2017) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWePUF1lFL4