The 39th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) returns July 18 – August 4, 2019 in San Francisco, the East Bay, Palo Alto and San Rafael. More information is available at sfjff.org.
In Marin, SFJFF will return to the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, August 2– 4. Marin Passes ($100 JFI members / $125 general public) will be available for purchase beginning June 19. CLICK HERE to become a member.
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, presented by the Jewish Film Institute, is the largest and longest-running festival of its kind and a leader in the curation and presentation of new film and media celebrating the diversity of Jewish life around the world. SFJFF attracts more than 40,000 filmgoers and industry professionals to its annual three weeks of inspiring films, events, panels and parties.
NOTE: Rafael passes, CFI Fast Passes or CFI members’ discounts are not valid for these screenings. The Rafael will not sell advance tickets, and any remaining tickets will be available at the Rafael on day of show.
SFJFF SCREENINGS AT THE RAFAEL
FRIDAY, AUG. 2
CARL LAEMMLE
FRIDAY, AUG. 2 • 2:10
This is the extraordinary story of the German-Jewish immigrant who practically invented the movie business by starting Universal Pictures in 1912. After selling it in 1936, Laemmle rescued over 300 Jews from the Holocaust. Director: James Freedman. (US 2018) 90 min.
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FIG TREE
FRIDAY, AUG. 2 • 4:15
In the midst of the Ethiopian Civil War, 16-year-old Mina is torn between following her mother to Israel and staying behind to help her boyfriend avoid army conscription. Director: Alamork Davidian. (Israel 2018) 93 min.
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DOLCE FINE GIORNATA
FRIDAY, AUG. 2 • 6:20
When a celebrated expat Polish poet gives a controversial speech that goes viral, she finds the backlash unwittingly hits those she loves, in this exquisite and complex moral drama set in picturesque Tuscany. Director: Jacek Borcuch. (Poland 2019) 96 min.
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THE HUMORIST
FRIDAY, AUG. 2 • 8:30
In the twilight years of the Soviet Union, Boris Arkadiev has taken up stand-up insult comedy. Although wildly popular, his status as a tolerated mischief maker is threatened if he goes too far.Director: Michael Idov.(Russia2019) 101 min.
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SATURDAY, AUG. 3
HOW ABOUT ADOLF?
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 • 11:30
When the black sheep of a progressive middle-class family surprises his siblings with the news that he plans to name his baby Adolf, carnage ensues. This savage comedy lampoons contemporary German attitudes and denials of the Nazi past.Director: Sonke Wortmann (Germany 2018) 91 min.
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THE TOBACCONIST
SATURDAY, AUG. 3 • 1:35
Searching for a direction, young Franz befriends a shop regular, Sigmund Freud, played by the late Bruno Ganz (Wings of Desire). Shortly after, Nazi fervor engulfs Austria and Franz is forced to grow up fast.Director: Nikolaus Leytner. (Austria2018)117 min.
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THE AMAZING JONATHAN DOCUMENTARY
SATURDAY, AUG. 3 • 4:05
Director Ben Berman masterfully turns narrative lemons into lemonade, and in the process shares his own heartfelt personal loss while creating a fun, provocative and highly entertaining documentary.Director: Ben Berman.(US 2019) 91 min.
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STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN
SATURDAY, AUG. 3 • 6:25
This movie about family and the elusive nature of adulthood gets unexpected resonance from its terrific cast, led by Billy Crystal, who all but steals the show with his understated performance. Director: Matt Ratner. (US 2019) 91 min.
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TEL AVIV ON FIRE
SATURDAY, AUG. 3 • 8:40
Brimming with humor and multiple plotlines, Tel Aviv on Fire relates the comic efforts of Salam, a Palestinian man who gets his big break as a writer on a popular television soap opera. Director: Sameh Zoabi. (Luxembourg, Belgium, Israel, France 2018) 97 min.
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SUNDAY, AUG. 4
MY POLISH HONEYMOON
SUNDAY, AUG. 4 • 11:45AM
What starts as a light romantic comedy gains extraordinary dimension as a young Parisian couple visit Poland for their honeymoon to explore their families’ Jewish roots. Their lark quickly transforms into a richly satisfying journey of self-discovery.Director: Elise Otzenberger. (France 2018) 88 min.
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THE KEEPER
SUNDAY, AUG. 4 • 1:45
This compelling drama tells the extraordinary story of Bert Trautmann, a German footballer who raised the bar for soccer goalkeeping while playing in the UK—and, as a former Nazi, tested the country’s willingness to forgive.Director: Marcus Rosenmuller. (UK2019) 119 min.
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PICTURE OF HIS LIFE
SUNDAY, AUG. 4 • 4:15
World famous underwater still photographer Amos Nachoum is not satisfied. He wants to get the “picture of his life,” a polar bear up close and personal, a task considered not only dangerous, but maybe impossible.Directors: Dani Menkin, Yonatan Nir. (Israel 2019) 75 min.
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SAFE SPACES
SUNDAY, AUG. 4 • 6:30
A 38-year-old Brooklyn teacher must come to terms with the changing cultural climate when a student takes offense to something he says in class. A comedy of errors for the post-#MeToo era. Directors: Daniel Schechter. (US 2019) 93 min.
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LEONA
SUNDAY, AUG. 4 • 8:35
In the close-knit Jewish community of Mexico City, Ariela falls for a man outside her faith. As their relationship blossoms, Ariela struggles to navigate the tumultuous clash between her family’s expectations and her own passions. Director: Isaac Cherem. (Mexico 2018) 94 min.
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