American film actress Marilyn Monroe (1926 – 1962) and her husband, American playwright, Arthur Miller arrive at the Berkshire home of playwright, Terence Rattigan for a private party. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
At JIFF 2016
We are the Dreamers of Dreams…
Returning to Brisbane, the Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) will screen at New Farm Cinemas on 10 November and over the weekends of 12/13 and 19/20 November.
Embracing a global selection of premiere features and documentaries, the Festival’s Brisbane season will present 15 exceptional titles from the national programme that will highlight the infinite diversity of this fascinating culture through drama, humour and suspense.
Amongst the highlights that will screen in Brisbane are outstanding feature dramas from Germany such as The People Vs Fritz Bauer, The Diary of Anne Frank and Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe.
Winning in 6 categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Direction and Best Screenplay, at the 2016 German Film Awards, The People Vs Fritz Bauer is a historical thriller that recounts the story of Attorney General Fritz Bauer who covertly sought the help of Mossad to bring Hitler’s henchman, Adolf Eichmann, to justice.
In The Diary of Anne Frank, the filmmakers have, for the first time since Anne’s inspiring memoir has been brought to screen, drawn upon her uncensored diary, which has resulted in arguably the most poignant, yet powerful dramatisation of her life to date.
In his day, Austrian author, Stefan Zweig was the most-translated writer in Europe. But sensing the continent’s decline, Zweig left his native country in 1934, never to return. His self-imposed exile is movingly captured in director Maria Schrader’s Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe.
The finest contemporary cinema from Israel will also be showcased, including the features, Sand Storm and One Week and a Day, both of which are major contenders at the 2016 Ophir Awards (Israeli Oscars) with Sand Storm receiving nominations 12 nominations and One Week and a Day, gathering 7.
In Sand Storm, which won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinematic Dramatic section of Sundance 2016, a mother and daughter from a Bedouin village struggle to adapt to a changing world, whilst One Week and a Day, which premiered at this year’s Cannes’ Critics Week, offers a hilarious, yet affecting look at two parents attempting to re-adjust following the passing of their son.
The intricacies of family relationships are explored in films such as The Tenth Man and Beyond the Mountains and Hills.
A heartfelt comedy set against the backdrop of Purim, The Tenth Man, from Argentinian filmmaker Daniel Burman (Lost Embrace), sees Ariel (Alan Sabbagh in his Tribeca Film Festival Award-winning performance) summoned, by his oft-distant father, to his childhood home in the bustling Jewish quarter of Buenos Aires, where they attempt to reconnect.
Beyond the Mountains and Hills, a Belgium/Israeli/German co-production, follows David, discharged from the army after serving 27 years. Returning to civilian life, a seemingly innocuous decision on his part sparks a train of events that reveal what lurks beneath the facade of a seemingly perfect family.
Renowned for its superb documentaries, JIFF’s Brisbane programme will include, amongst others, Arthur Miller: Man of the Century, Jerry Lewis: the Man Behind the Clown and The Settlers, which explores the history of settlements in the West Bank. There’s also the insightful Rabin in His Own Words, which, through a combination of rare recordings and documents, gives voice to Yitzhak Rabin as he narrates his own biography from his childhood in Tel Aviv, through to his service in the Israeli Defense Force and his later diplomatic and political career.
These are just some of the gems in store at JIFF 2016. Full program details will be revealed at the JIFF 2016 Program Launch Event to be celebrated with an exclusive preview screening of Woody Allen’s charming new film, Cafe Society (screening a month prior to general release, courtesy of EOne). Tickets to this 29 September event are on sale now at jiff.com.au or through our participating cinema venues.
The 2016 Jewish International Film Festival will screen as follows:
SYDNEY 26 October – 23 November Bondi Junction Event Cinemas
27 October – 16 November Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
MELBOURNE 27 October – 23 November Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick
28 October – 23 November Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn
PERTH 26 October – 6 November Greater Union Cinemas, Morley
BRISBANE 10, 12/13, 19/20 November New Farm Cinemas
AUCKLAND 10, 12/13, 19/20 November Academy Cinemas
CANBERRA 10, 12/13, 19/20 November Dendy Cinemas
Visit the official website at: www.jiff.com.au
