The festival will kick off on Thursday, February 28, at 6:00 p.m. with a special screening of “Fanny’s Journey,” a coming-of-age drama about a brave, resourceful young girl who leads a small band of orphans through Nazi-occupied France. Prior to the screening, internationally acclaimed Jewish film historian and educator, Eric Goldman, Ph.D., will deliver remarks, and will moderate a Q&A following the screening.
The second film of the festival will be shown on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. “Humor Me,” stars award-winning actors Elliott Gould, Bebe Neuwirth, Annie Potts, Jermaine Clement (from HBO’s "Flight Of The Conchords") and singer Ingrid Michaelson. A father and son comedy, the story centers on the son (Clement) who is forced to move into his father’s (Gould) retirement community. Eric Goldman, Ph.D. will introduce the film and explore comedy in Jewish filmmaking.
On Sunday afternoon, March 2, at 4 p.m., Former Houston Astros pitcher and Team Israel player, Josh Zeid, will engage in a meet-and-greet, film introduction and Q&A for “Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel.” A stirring story of sports, patriotism and personal growth, “Heading Home” charts the underdog journey of Israel's national baseball team competing for the first time in the World Baseball Classic in 2017.
“The collection of films selected for the inaugural Greenville Jewish Film Festival showcases the breadth and depth of films that explore the Jewish experience,” said Osnat Rosen, founder of the Greenville Jewish Film Festival and Israeli native. “With the addition of world-renowned film critics, educators, experts and stars from the films, we are also providing unique context and perspective.”
Tickets are currently on sale on the festival’s website. Ticket prices will be $15 for students (Fanny’s Journey only) and $25 for adults, with a $60 festival pass option available for any single attendee. The Festival will offer a $60 Family of Four package for the movie, “Heading Home”. Additional children up to the age of 10 will be $5.
For more information, visit the website or connect with the Greenville Jewish Film Festival on Facebook and Instagram.
Fanny’s Journey (In French with English Subtitles) Special thanks to Michelin North America Thursday, Feb. 28 6:00 p.m. - Doors open with Reception catered by Bagatelle Caterers 6:45 p.m. – Eric Goldman, Ph.D. introduction “The Jewish Film Experience” 7:00 p.m. – Film begins 8:30 p.m. – Q&A with Eric Goldman, Ph.D. *appropriate for Middle School and High School students A group of Jewish youngsters flees Nazi-occupied France in the inspired-by-fact WWII drama “Fanny’s Journey,” the third feature from director Lola Doillon (“In Your Hands,” “Just About Love”). The film is a handsome, compelling period piece that deftly portrays events through the eyes of its young protagonists. When they are suddenly left on their own in the middle of the journey, these children, led by Fanny, do the impossible and reach the Swiss border to freedom. Link to trailer
Humor Me Saturday, March 2 7:00 p.m. – Doors open 7:00-7:45 p.m. – Reception catered by Bagatelle Caterers 8:00 p.m. – Eric Goldman, Ph.D. introduction 8:20 p.m. – Film begins 10:00 pm. – Q&A
*Appropriate for adult audiences only A once-acclaimed New York playwright, NATE (Jemaine Clement), is struggling to finish his new play when his wife (Maria Dizzia) leaves him, taking their son. Desolate, broke and unable to pay the rent, Nate begrudgingly moves in with his widowed father, BOB (Elliott Gould), in his New Jersey retirement golf community. Bob, always quick with a joke, uses humor to deal with all of life's challenges, even the death of his beloved wife. It drives Nate crazy. Thinking his son could benefit from some discipline, Bob sends Nate to work for ELLIS (Willie Carpenter) an older ex-Marine who runs operations at the community. While at work, Nate stumbles on a senior citizen theater troupe staging a musical. Nate agrees to help but quickly realizes it won't be easy to get these quirky women to cooperate. And one of them, DEE (Annie Potts) even invites him to dinner to not-so-subtly set him up with her daughter, ALLISON (Ingrid Michaelson)
Heading Home Sunday, March 3 4:00 p.m. – Doors open, meet and greet with Josh Zeid 4:30 p.m. – Film Begins / Q&A with Josh Zeid following the film 6:00 p.m. – Ballpark Meal dinner catered by Greenfield’s Bagels & Deli *Family friendly film After years of defeat, Team Israel is finally ranked among the world's best in 2017, eligible to compete in the prestigious international tournament. Their line-up included several Jewish American Major League players―Ike Davis, Josh Zeid and ex-Braves catcher Ryan Lavarnway―most with a tenuous relationship to Judaism, let alone having ever set foot in Israel. Their odyssey takes them from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem where they are greeted as heroes, to Seoul where they must debunk their has-been, wannabe reputations. With their Mensch on the Bench mascot by their side, the team laughs, cries, and does much soul-searching, discovering the pride of representing Israel on the world stage. This family-friendly film experience
About the Greenville Jewish Film Festival The Greenville Jewish Film Festival showcases the richness and diversity of the Jewish experience by presenting contemporary international films. Through feature films and documentaries as well as discussions with guest speakers, the GJFF hopes to strengthen its cultural foundation and promote diversity through higher visibility. Sponsors include:
First Baptist Church of Greenville Michelin North America Temple of Israel Congregation Beth Israel Greenfield’s Bagels and Deli Aran Upstate International Jewish Student Association Furman University Israeli Consulate to the Southeast Israeli House Children’s ADDvocacy of South Carolina Greenville Jewish Federation Furman University
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