Great movies with a little Jewish flavor return to the East Valley in the form of the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival taking place from February 12-26, 2017. The GPJFF celebrates Jewish culture through film and brings to the community an exciting lineup of films honoring Jewish traditions and heritage. Currently the longest-running film festival in the Valley, the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival celebrates its 21st year by presenting 18 feature-length and six short films that combine for over 1,800 magical minutes of Jewish cinema from seven different countries! The Festival will screen at Harkins Chandler Fashion 20, located at 3159 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler.
Films range from defiance and struggle to fun and adventure to laughter and love, with something for everyone and stories that engage both mind and heart. Guest speakers will conduct post-screening discussions with the audience, including Dani Menkin, the director of On the Map, the Fest’s Opening Day film, on Sunday, February 12, at 3:00 p.m. at Harkins Shea 14 Theaters in Scottsdale.
Eight feature films will screen in Chandler, and other films will show at the other two Valley locations: Harkins Shea 14, Scottsdale and Harkins Arrowhead 18, Peoria. For a full schedule of the films with trailers, synopses and screening locations and times, go to www.gpjff.org.
The films playing at Harkins Chandler Fashion 20 and their date and time of showing are as-follows:
Rosenwald – Documentary (USA) – Sunday, February 12, at 3:00 p.m.
Driven equally by the Jewish ideal of tzedakah (charity), the writings of Booker T. Washington, and an increasing awareness of racial inequality in American society, Sears CEO Julius Rosenwald dedicated his newfound enormous wealth and prestige to joining with African-American communities in the South in the days of segregation to build over 5,300 schools and establish the Rosenwald Fund for the support of African American artists and intellectuals.
On the Map — Documentary (USA) – Sunday, February 19, at 3:00 p.m.
A fast-moving, emotional, and awe-inspiring documentary recounting how the 1977 Maccabi Tel-Aviv basketball team, that no one thought could win, toppled the four-time defending Soviet team in the European Basketball playoffs and put Israel firmly on the map.
Remember – Drama – (Canada) – Monday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Burdened with memory loss and his wife’s recent passing, 90-year-old Zev Guttman is in a race against time to find personal catharsis and overdue justice. Having suppressed the wartime horrors of decades earlier, he is prompted to track down his fugitive Nazi tormentor along with a fellow Auschwitz survivor on an elaborate mission of vengeance.
Wünderkinder – Drama (Germany) – Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m.
The moving story of three exceptional child prodigies – two Jewish, one who is not – whose innocent world is turned upside down during World War II when they are forced to perform for the Nazis.
Fever At Dawn — Drama (Hungary) — Wednesday, February 22, at 3:00 p.m.
A Hungarian who barely has survived Nazi camps comes down with tuberculosis and has just six months to live. While at a rehabilitation camp, he acquires the names of the 117 Hungarian women also recovering in Sweden, and he writes a letter to each of them in his beautiful cursive hand in hopes of finding a wife.
Kapo In Jerusalem – Drama (Israel)- -Wednesday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Two Holocaust survivors attempting to build new lives in Jerusalem find trouble appears when rumors begin to spread about the man’s sadistic role as a kapo (block captain) back in Europe.
Sabena Hijacking – Docudrama (Israel) – Thursday, February 23, at 7:00 p.m.
The previously untold story of what took place during the 30 hours of nerve-racking captivity when four members of Black September, the armed wing of the Palestine Liberation Organization, hijacked Flight 571 from Brussels to Tel Avi in 1972.
Moos – Romantic Comedy (Netherlands) – Sunday, February 26, at 3:00 p.m.
A talented singer realizes she’s put her life on hold to take care of others and must follow her own dreams before it’s too late.
Ticket Prices are $11.00 for adults ($13.00 at the door)/$7.00 for students (ID required, 25 yrs & under); $150.00 Festival Pass (see all 18 movies). For more information about tickets, ticket packages or group discounts, call 602-753-9366, or visit www.gpjff.org.
WHAT:The 21st Annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival
WHEN:Sunday, February 12 – Sunday, February 26
WHERE: Harkins Chandler Fashion 20,3159 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler