This Must Be The Place
The 2011 UK Jewish Film Festival is set to burst onto London screens from 1-20 November 2011 with a dynamic programme of 70 films from a broad range of UK and international filmmakers.
Presenting international features, documentaries, TV specials and short films, the UKJFF provides an unrivalled showcase for works on Jewish themes by filmmakers of all backgrounds and nationalities.
It has grown exponentially since Executive Director Judy Ironside founded the festival in 1997 as the Brighton Jewish Film Festival and has, over the years, widened its programming and appeal. It has consistently punched above its weight in its selection of films, its support of filmmakers and its extra-curricular activities such as national film tours, interfaith screenings, emerging filmmaker workshops, talks and discussions.
This year’s 15th UK Jewish Film Festival will have something for everyone: comedy, horror, drama, romcoms, documentaries, shorts and more at 13 different venues including the Tricycle, BFI, Odeon West End, Cine Lumiere, Prince Charles, The Coronet, Soho House, PeckhamPlex, Everyman, Phoenix, and the brand-new IMAX Swiss Cottage.
"I’m very excited about this year’s Festival," commented Judy Ironside. "It’s our aim to provide great entertainment for a wide audience in tandem with showing work that promotes respect, understanding and communication between communities of all backgrounds, ages and cultures.
"I’m extremely proud of all 70 titles; there really is a huge range of excellent work on offer and we’ll be staging some very interesting Q&A events with film and documentary filmmakers throughout."
On 1 November 2011 the Festival opens at the Odeon West End with a gala screening of the powerful drama, This Must Be The Place co-written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) and starring double-Oscar winner Sean Penn.
On 5 November the Tricycle cinema in Kilburn will screen Footnote, an Israeli drama written and directed by Joseph Cedar, which won the ‘Best Screenplay Award’ at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The Tricycle will also host a special screening of the multi-Oscar®-winning UK classic Chariots Of Fire to commemorate the film’s 30th anniversary. Director Hugh Hudson will be guest of honour.
And just in case anyone thought they were safe to walk home across the park...comes a rare slasher movie from Israel - Rabies where the story is of equal if not greater interest than the slashings...clever, chilling, blackly comic... (Fangoria.com) - Rabies will be screened as a late night event at the Coronet on 12 November and the PeckhamPlex on 17 November 2011.