The fourth annual Israel Film Festival (IFF) at Ithaca College will be held on March 25, 29 and 30 and will feature three documentaries illustrating stories from life in Israel and beyond. The fourth annual Israel Film Festival (IFF) at Ithaca College will be held on March 25, 29 and 30 and will feature three documentaries illustrating stories from life in Israel and beyond.
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For the first time, IFF has partnered with local theater Cinemapolis to present the third and final film of the series, “Mr. Gaga,” which will be screened there on the festival’s closing night, Thursday Mar. 30.
All communities are welcomed to learn about Israel's cultural through personal stories of disabilities in the film “My Hero Brother,” the art of dancing in “Mr. Gaga,” and remarkable stories of Israeli holocaust survivors in the kibbutz in “The Essential Link: The Story of Wilfrid Israel.”
Panel discussions focusing on multiple aspects of the film will follow each screening. All events are open to the public and the first two screenings will be free and shown on the Ithaca College campus, while the third and final film will be shown at Cinemapolis in downtown Ithaca at regular admission cost.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Israel is Real,” highlighting humanistic elements of Israel life and culture exclusively through documentary film selections, a first for the festival.
“This year’s festival portrays a unique reality through art, disabilities and history with a selection of unique, vibrant, and diverse Israeli cinema,” said Mirit Hadar, IFF co-founder and director. “We are honored to present these films around Ithaca communities, and for the first time, in downtown Ithaca at the Cinemapolis theater.”
Saturday, March 25
7:30 p.m. reception; 8:30 p.m. screening - Park Hall Auditorium
Film: “My Hero Brother”
Discussion: Q&A with director Yonatan Nir
A group of remarkable young people with Down syndrome embark on a demanding trek through the India Himalayas, accompanied by their 'normal' brothers and sisters. Unresolved conflicts and the complexities of growing up with a Down syndrome child in the family come to surface, while a heart-warming and special closeness develops among the siblings as they deal with formidable physical and emotional challenges. Through the eye of the camera, we catch a glimpse into the internal world of those with Down syndrome, and are led on our own journey of discovery and admiration, as their inspiring natural qualities begin to emerge; wholesomeness, direct and honest emotional expression, and the capacity to feel and communicate unconditional love. The difficult trials and poignant relationships, set against the richly colorful backdrop of India, open new horizons and greatly deepen our understanding of special needs people and their families.
Wednesday, March 29
7:00 p.m., Textor Hall 102
Film: “The Essential Link: The Story of Wilfrid Israel”
Discussion: Director Yonatan Nir and Dr. Michael Richardson, Professor, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and 20th and 21st century German literature and cinema, Holocaust Studies
Wilfrid Israel, the owner of a department store in the center of Berlin, was one of the great saviors of Jews during the Holocaust and played a key role in the Kindertransport operation. The story of one extraordinary man becomes very personal as filmmaker Yonatan Nir takes us on a journey from a kibbutz in northern Israel to Germany in the 1930's. The filmmaker, who was born on the kibbutz where Wilfrid's name was known but his story was kept secret, takes us on an adventure as he searches for the mysterious hero, and for the reasons for his disappearance from history.
Thursday, March 30
6:20 p.m. workshop; 7:00 p.m. screening; Cinemapolis, Ithaca, N.Y.
Film: “Mr. Gaga”
Workshop: “Gaga Dance Workshop” – Prof. Lindsay Gilmour, Assistant Professor, Department of Theatre Arts, and instructor of modern dance at Ithaca College, and students
Ohad Naharin, artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, is regarded as one of the most important choreographers in the world. Meeting him at a critical turning point in his personal life, this spirited and insightful documentary will introduce you to a man with great artistic integrity and an extraordinary vision. Filmed over a period of eight years, director Tomer Heymann mixes intimate rehearsal footage with an extensive unseen archive and breathtaking dance sequences.
The Israel Film Festival is sponsored by Hillel at Ithaca College, the Ithaca College Jewish studies program, the Ithaca Area United Jewish Community, The New Fund for Cinema and TV, J Street U and Student Alliance for Israel at Ithaca College. For more information, visit israelfilmfest.com or contact mhadar@ithaca.edu.
Facebook Event Details ---> https://www.facebook.com/israelffithaca/
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Allison Copquin at acopqui1@ithaca.edu. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20170319192723418