Presented by the Mandell Jewish Community Center with Trinity College and Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.

Saturday, March 22, 8:30 p.m.
Aetna Theater, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Nina’s Home

France, 2005, 35mm, 1 hour 47 minutes, French with English subtitles
Director: Richard Dembo

Sensitive, compassionate Nina runs her “house of hope” orphanage near Paris for Jewish children who survived World War II in hiding. When traumatized and angry young survivors from Hitler’s death camps arrive, they clash with the more sheltered children of the French Resistance. With patience, love and faith, Nina does what it takes to bring these boys back from their hellish experiences. Called “quietly magnificent” by Variety, Nina’s Home movingly dramatizes the true stories of Elie Wiesel and other child Holocaust survivors.

Sunday, March 23, 1 p.m.
Hoffman Auditorium, The Carol Autorino Center, Saint Joseph College

Making Trouble

USA, 2006, DVD, 1 hour 25 minutes, English
Produced by: The Jewish Women's Archive
Director: Rachel Talbot

Put the leading Jewish ladies of comedy together in this documentary produced by The Jewish Women's Archive, add a side of pastrami and pickles, mix it up with a gabfest of today's Jewish stand-up comics and it's a recipe for hilarity. Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Molly Picon, Fanny Brice, Wendy Wasserstein and Hartford's own Sophie Tucker are saluted for their comedic success by their successors in this delightfully nostalgic and funny documentary. Set in New York's Katz's deli with archival footage, photos, television clips and interviews with those who remember them, the film earns a standing ovation for chutzpah and charm.

Join us following this film as we celebrate 60 years of Israel in song with Hazzan Brian Shamash.

Sunday, March 23, 3:30 p.m.
Hoffman Auditorium, The Carol Autorino Center, Saint Joseph College

I Have Never Forgotten You:
The Life and Legacy of
Simon Wiesenthal

USA, 2007, DVD, 1 hour 45 minutes, English
Director: Richard Trank
Narrator: Nicole Kidman

A riveting film about a righteous and haunted man, this powerful biographical documentary captures the dramatic heroism of the world’s first Nazi hunter. With previously unseen archival footage, gripping interviews and photos, the film honors Simon Wiesenthal’s relentless quest to bring Nazi war criminals to justice. Oscar-winning director Richard Trank explores his life, personal sacrifices, and the legacy of a man who devoted his life so fervently to one cause.

Sunday, March 23, 7 p.m.
Hoffman Auditorium, The Carol Autorino Center, Saint Joseph College

A Love to Hide

France, 2004, DVD, 1 hour 47 minutes, French with English subtitles
Director: Christian Faure

A young Jewish woman takes shelter during the Nazi occupation in France in the home of her boyhood gentile friend, who has since come out as a gay man. The triangle and friendship that form between her friend, his lover and herself creates a fast paced drama about an often overlooked aspect of the Holocaust, the persecution of homosexuals. Add to the plot a Nazi collaborator who is in love with the Jewish girl and you have an intense drama about betrayal, sacrifice and unrequited love.

Monday, March 24, 7 p.m.
Beth El Temple

Praying With Lior

USA, 2007, DVD, 1 hour 27 minutes, English
Director: Ilana Trachtman

Invited guest speaker: Dr. Christie E. Pawelski, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health and Behavior Studies; Special Education Program, Teachers College, Columbia University.

Some call young Lior Liebling “the little rebbe” and a “spiritual genius.” Lior has Down Syndrome, and all he wants to do is pray to God with utter abandon. This tender humorous documentary with klezmer soundtrack by Andy Statman follows Lior, his family and close circle of friends as he prepares for the most important day of his life, his Bar Mitzvah. Through candid interviews and insightful camera work, this inspiring coming-of-age portrait of a special young man will fill your heart and soul.

Tuesday, March 25, 6:45 p.m.
Herbert Gilman Theater, Mandell JCC

Sunshine

Hungary, 2000, DVD, 3 hours, Hungarian with English subtitles
Director: Istvan Szabo

This stunning multi-generational saga follows the Sonnenschein family of Hungary from humble beginnings to positions of status in the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire. Political upheavals, wealth and power, family secrets and Jewish heritage collide through three generations in this grand epic film. The stellar cast includes Ralph Fiennes, James Frain, Rachel Weisz and William Hurt.

Wednesday, March 26, 12:30 p.m.
Herbert Gilman Theater, Mandell JCC

The Cemetery Club

Israel, 2006, DVD, 1 hour 30 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Tali Shemesh

Invited guest speaker: Pamela Atwood, Hebrew Health Care, Inc.

For over two decades, a group of Holocaust survivors clutching folding chairs has been trekking up Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl cemetery for weekly meetings. They eat lunch, argue, laugh, debate, read poetry, and discuss philosophy and Israeli politics. Director Shemesh (whose grandmother and great aunt are featured) lovingly follows them for five years, offering a comic yet touching film about friendship, aging and loss.

Wednesday, March 26, 3 p.m.
Herbert Gilman Theater, Mandell JCC

Yiddish Soul

Israel, 2006, DVD, 53 minutes, French, Italian, Yiddish with English subtitles
Directors: Turi Finocchiaro and
Nathalie Rossetti

This charming film shows the revival and popularity of Yiddish music in Europe by taking the viewer on a tour of musical performances by both Jewish and non-Jewish artists from all over the continent. Yiddish lyrics are subtitled so American audiences can appreciate their meanings.

Wednesday, March 26 (Immediately following film Yiddish Soul)
Herbert Gilman Theater, Mandell JCC

Song of Life

Israel, 2006, DVD, 50 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles
Directors: Yosi Leon & Ran Brener

This film follows the Israeli Philharmonic Singers Choir on its tour of Poland, performing at the ceremony commemorating 60 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. In addition to enjoying their performances, we learn about some of the choir members and their personal connections to the Holocaust.

Wednesday, March 26, 7:30 p.m.
Criterion Cinema, Blue Back Square

The First Time I Turned Twenty

France, 2004, 35mm, 1 hour 33 minutes, French with English subtitles
Director: Lorraine Levy

In this warm comedy set in postwar France, unattractive but intelligent 16-year old Hannah faces multiple challenges: an affectionate but stifling family, an ugly duckling status made worse by her mother and attractive sisters, and harassment at school, tinged with anti-Semitism. Despite all this, she seeks to become the first girl to play in her school’s jazz band.

Thursday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.
Criterion Cinema, Blue Back Square

My Mexican Shiva

Mexico, 2006, 35mm, 1 hour 35 minutes, Spanish, Yiddish, Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Alejandro Springall

In this charming dramatic comedy set in the Jewish quarter of Mexico City, the death of Moishe, the family patriarch becomes a joyous celebration of life and change. During “shiva,” the traditional Jewish week of mourning, we meet his raucous, entertaining and somewhat dysfunctional family, an assortment of eccentric visitors and friends and two “angels” who are trying to decide Moishe’s “direction” in the afterlife.

Saturday, March 29, 8:30 p.m.
Aetna Theater, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Black Book

Netherlands, 2007, 35mm, 2 hours 25 minutes, Dutch, English, German, Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Paul Verhoeven

Rated R for some strong violence, language, graphic nudity and sex.

Israel, 1956. Rachel Stein, a kibbutz teacher, is surprised by an old friend from the war, bringing back memories of her secret life, betrayals and escapades as a stunning Jewish cabaret singer and Dutch resistance fighter in 1944. Based on a true story, young and beautiful Rachel tries to escape the oncoming Nazis by boat. She soon becomes embroiled in a dangerous “double life” when she is recruited by the weapons-smuggling Dutch Resistance. After she becomes sexually involved with the head of the local Gestapo, the plot thickens and the action never stops.

Winner of the Rembrandt Award for Best Film and Best Actress. Winner, Best International Film, Venice Film Festival.

Sunday, March 29, 1 p.m.
Herbert Gilman Theater, Mandell JCC

Close To Home

Israel, 2005, DVD, 1 hour 30 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles
Directors: Vidi Bilu & Dalia Hager

Invited guest speaker: Ron Sheps, Humanitarian Officer in the
Israel Defense Forces.

As part of their Israel Defense Forces service, two teenage girls must patrol the streets of Jerusalem during the height of the Intifada. They are an odd couple in military uniform; one is a dedicated soldier, the other would rather flirt and shop than fight. One day, Israel’s political reality is forced upon them. This film is a realistic glimpse into the lives of Israel’s women in uniform.

Winner of the International Confederation of Artistic Cinemas Award (CICAE) at the Berlin International Film Festival. Nominated for Best Music, Israeli Film Academy.

Sunday, March 30, 4 p.m.
Herbert Gilman Theater, Mandell JCC

Aviva My Love

Israel, 2006, DVD, 1 hour 47 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Shemi Zarhin

The most successful Israeli film of the year is the touching story of a hard-working, frustrated mother with a secret writing talent and a host of family problems. Aviva’s relationship with a famous novelist who takes her under his wing teaches hard lessons about ambition, self-respect and family obligations.

Winner of six Awards of the Israeli Film Academy, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Editing.