The mission of the Columbia Jewish Film Festival is to offer outstanding world cinema that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride in the diversity of the Jewish experience. Reaching out to the entire greater Columbia area, the Festival’s aim is to educate, illuminate and entertain through film; including history, language, people, the State of Israel and the history of the Jewish people from pre-biblical to modern times.
May 4 – 6, 2021
Breaking Bread
85 Minutes
In this foodie’s delight, innovative Arab and Jewish chefs work in tandem to foster social change via mouthwatering dishes and a shared love of cooking. The action centers on the city of Haifa, a model of multicultural coexistence, and the annual A-Sham Arabic Food Festival, founded by microbiologist Nof Atamna-Ismaeel, the first Israeli-Arab to win on Israel’s reality show MasterChef. Each chef puts a personal spin on traditional recipes handed down over generations, transforming flavors while political and religious differences are set aside. A treat for the senses, this delectable showcase of culinary heritage gives hope to the idea that collaboration in the kitchen could be a bridge to mutual understanding and lasting peace.
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May 18 – 20, 2021
Here We Are
92 Minutes
Israeli film director Nir Bergman returns with this tender drama about a protective father’s road trip with his autistic son and the anguish of separation. Uri (Noam Imber) is too old to continue living with his father Aharon (Shai Avivi), a stubborn divorcé and Uri’sloving caregiver. Their cocooned, codependent situation is upended when Uri’s mother insists he enter a specialized facility to attain independence. Deeply reluctant to let go, Aharon escapes with Uri on an adventure-filled, often humorous trek. But with time catching up, both men must learn how to say goodbye. Suffused with emotion and graced by deeply felt performances, this life-affirming two-hander was nominated for nine Israeli Academy Awards, with wins for Best Director, Screenplay, Actor and Supporting Actor.