Jewish Arts

SIDNEY GOLDBERG. QUITE A PHENOMENON!!

Sidney Goldberg, author/composer of 500 songs and 6 operas, was born February 2, 1940 in the Bronx, NY to impoverished immigrant parent, Anna and Abe Goldberg. He had three sisters, Trudi, Sonnie and Rebecca and his favorite sibling, his younger brother Lenny, who much to his loneliness and dismay have all ceased. He became a hairdresser in 1960, and in 1967 believes opened the first unisex haircutting salon on 69^th and Second Avenue in Manhattan and became quite successful. Sidney married the very beautiful Leslie Duke in 1968 and has two wonderful children who are the loves of his life: Lewis Damon who has a son, Elijah Duke and his beautiful precious daughter, Caire Rachel. While cutting hair, he started writing poetry in 1973, became so enamored with the power of the written word, and always liked to sing, (sounds like Sinatra and Bobby Darin) began writing lyrics. He signed with BMI, who got him to briefly collaborate with four-time Oscar winner Alan Menken on his play MENSCH, a Jewish rock musical which he also wrote the lyrics for. Then wrote a couple of tunes with two-time Tony winner, Maury Yeston, and collaborated with Bill Brown who wrote the ‘WIZ’ writing the lyrics for a musical based on ‘The Honeymooner.’

For the past 30 odd years, Sidney’s written four plays, including “Pokerfaces and Castanets,” and “They Don’t Have Earthquakes in the Bronx,” that were produced and the book and lyrics to 19 musicals and 10 screenplays. In addition, Sidney’s written four novels, “Eli’s Coming,” a semi-autobiographical, funny and touching story about his impoverished up bringing in the Bronx, which was published by Iuniverse in 2001. His book of short stories, KVELL, is currently being illustrated into a hard covered book for hip adults, hopefully a feature film, “The First RAINDROP,” also being illustrated into a children’s book and feature, and “EIGHT DAYS,” the story of Hanukkah into a children’s short. “ZEKE and the SHEIK” a funny sitcom, three games shows and about 600 songs. Currently, Sidney is in rehearsal directing an Indie production of his raw a powerful screenplay based on addiction, “Aren’t We All.” And hoping for a production of his new musical, “In the Beginning,” the first play of a Trilogy based on GENESES which has been recorded and will hopefully be produced. The scores to “Shine’em Up!” “SLAVES,” “The Overwhelming Truth,” and “Freedom, Yours and Mine,” are being written, will be recorded shortly and hopefully produced.

The First Contributions Campaign for the World Jewish New Agency

It’s been two months! Could we have possibly accomplished so much in such a short time? As promised, we have gathered the best hearts and minds in America, Europe, and Israel, all eager to donate their time and efforts. We have the most up-to-the-minute news and political analysis. We have invaded all areas – business, world markets, art, culture, book reviews, lifestyles – and even a few hints for successful Jewish dating… We have encouraged all thoughts and opinions, and permitted all points of view to appear on our site, no matter how provoking or even controversial. The whole Jewish world is already talking about the Agency, the best forum for all Jewish things on the Web!

WE NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP!

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD JEWISH NEWS AGENCY WILL ENABLE US TO PRESERVE OUR JEWISH HERITAGE, CULTURE, ARTS, WAY OF LIFE, TRADITIONS, BELIEFS...AND ALLOW US TO PROVIDE YOU -FREE OF CHARGE- WITH ALL THE INFORMATION, THE IN-DEPTH ARTICLES AND NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT, AROUND THE CLOCK! GENEROUS PORTION OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO JEWISH FAMILIES IN NEED, TO ISRAELI AND JEWISH CHILDREN AND ORPHANS, JEWISH SHELTERS AND CHARITABLE JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS. SO PLEASE HELP!

Many Thanks We have kept our promise. But all this costs a great deal of money, much more money than the revenue generated from ads, when the organization is still so new. In addition, we are proud to constantly donate a large amount of advertising space to promote important causes which are unable to pay. So now it’s your turn to help. We need contributions. If we have pleased you in any way, if we have encouraged your business by a review, a press release, or an article, or if you are simply happy to be able to go to a site that promotes Jewish thought and style at its best – please don’t wait any longer – we urgently need the support of all our friends if we are to continue developing and enhancing the Agency. Please contribute whatever you can – any amount will be greatly appreciated. Please send checks or money orders to this address:

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"All About Jewish Theatre" is the World's Best Jewish Theater, Art And Culture Website.

RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF FIVE. TWO THUMBS UP!

Imagine the world of Jewish theater and arts without Modi Sandak's All About Jewish Theatre website! Such a world would not be complete, nor meaningful. In December 2001, thirty Jewish theatre Directors and academics from around the world met in Tel Aviv at a conference "Towards a Vibrant and Coherent Theatre of the Jewish People," hosted by the Jewish Agency's People to People center.

Photo: Modi Sandak, the genius, the patron of the arts and founder and driving force of "All About Jewish Theater".

They concluded with the decision to establish a Jewish Theatre Network on the Web. Pursuant to the conference, the Jewish Agency asked Modi Sandak to plan and design the Jewish World Theatre Website, to be based on his own initiative and ten years of research in Jewish theatre, rare collection of plays and professional articles, connections with leading libraries and databases around the world, and three years of accumulated research in Internet information technology together with European R&D institutions. Sandak's website is especially designed to provide a unifying environment that brings together all available information about the international world of Jewish Theatre and performing arts expertly linked, displayed and easily accessible to anyone. All About Jewish Theatre provides comprehensive and targeted coverage of the international community of Jewish Theatre and is the leading source of industry news in the world. Tens of thousands of professionals, educators, students and enthusiasts stay in touch with All About Jewish Theatre to get the facts, figures & dates of what, when, where and how coverage that they haven't been able to get till now anywhere else. Through All About Jewish Theatre, people worldwide, now have a single source for a vast array of information pertaining to all facets of the Jewish Theater manufacturers to consumers. Modi Sandak told the World Jewish News Agency: " We put the production & research capabilities of The World Jewish Theatre at your fingertips. And our objectives are to provide an easy to use platform for intercultural dialogue between Jewish Communities worldwide and the State of Israel through artistic exploration via the Internet. As well as an interactive network for professionals in The Performing Arts."

"All About Jewish Theatre" Is An International Treasure. A Monumental Accomplishment!

"ALL ABOUT JEWISH THEATER" is an international gem, and a rare treasure. It is abundant with needed information, news, in-depth articles, essays, photos, events calendar, historical biographies, and an international chronicle of Jewish theater and performing arts around the globe. In addition, it covers one million rainbows, aspects and subjects of Jewish culture, heritage, theater development, various Jewish theater genres, including Purimshpil, fists and celebrations-The Meaning of Jewish Holidays within the Cycle of Times, Yiddish Theatre, Holocaust Theatre: Theatre in Camps and Ghettos and ongoing post- Holocaust productions and research projects, Biblical Plays & Opera, Jewish Rituals and Sacred Theatre, Jewish Theatre in Arab Countries, Glodfaden and The American Musicals and Revues, The Renaissance of Hebrew Theatre in The State of Israel. In addition to 45 columns, more than 3000 professional articles and 1000 items in their Resource Center gathering zillions of books, magazines, films, plays, in-depth articles, weblinks and online solo performance catalogue. In short, "ALL ABOUT JEWISH THEATER" is an Internet Encyclopedia of the cosmos of Jewish theater!

The website was carefully and magnificently designed to meet the needs of the theater community, including f Theatre Directors, Playwrights, Actors, Composers, Stage Designers and Architects, Events and Festivals Producers, Professionals from Museums, Libraries & Archives, Historians and Researchers, Cultural heritage Experts , Jewish communities Worldwide, Suppliers and the Media.

AMAZING FEATURES AND PUBLIC SERVICES TO WORLD ART COMMUNITIES

"ALL ABOUT JEWISH THEATER" is more than a website. It is a cosmic library on Jewish showbiz and entertainment. Among the most amazing features of the website are the sections on Grants and Sponsorships. "If your goal is additional funding for a new production, or backing to develop a new play, or a grant or commercial sponsorship for your next festival, then this is the place to find the information you need. If you represent a fund or a corporation interested in sponsoring a theatre festival or other prestigious event, then this is the place to receive international exposure and check out a variety of candidates from around the world who may fit your requirements. ", stated Sandak. Equally fascinating is the section on Competitions and Festivals. The following statement of All About Jewish Theater is self-explanatory: "If you wish to put your latest production in front of a new audience, or to market it in additional areas or countries, then this is the place to find a spectrum of information about upcoming festivals and various competitions that are looking for new ensembles, productions, and troupes. If you are a festival organizer seeking additional productions to fill out your program, or if you are manager/producer of an international competition offering a prize for a new play, then this is the place to publicize your search and receive wide international exposure. ""All About Jewish Theatre" is the World's Best Jewish Theater, Art And Culture Website. RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF FIVE. TWO THUMBS UP!

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The Best And Worst Events & Artists

DIVA OF THE MONTH: ANNA BERGMAN

France had Piaf. Portugal gave us Amalia. Italy gave to the world Gabriella Ferri. The Arab world offered to the Orient Oum Khalthoum...and America brought to life an artist larger than life: Anna Bergman!!

Anna Bergman is tailored made for world cabaret. She is Jewish. She is cosmopolitan. She is American. She is a dear dear friend. And she is the best French-American Cabaret Singer. Unquestionably. The phrase "La Crème de La Crème" was hand written to accentuate the class, finesse, talent and persona of Anna Bergman. In my book, she is "La Chanteuse" par excellence...Read the full article.

DARREN STAR, WENDY WASSERSTEIN TO BE SPECIAL HONOREES AT 3^rd ANNUAL JEWISH IMAGE AWARDS IN FILM AND TELEVISION.

Photo: Wendy Wasserstein.

Los Angeles, California- Prolific producer Darren Star and award winning playwright and author Wendy Wasserstein will be given special honors at the 3^rd Annual Jewish Image Awards in Film and Television®, honoring industry professionals for outstanding presentations of the Jewish experience to be held on Monday, September 22, 2003 in Beverly Hills. Darren Star will receive the Tisch Industry Leadership Award in recognition of the Jewish characters and situations portrayed in his seminal television series, including Sex and the City, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and the upcoming Miss Match. Star has created many Jewish characters throughout his years of television programming and is currently working on a feature film, “Shutter Babe” (DreamWorks) about a Jewish female photojournalist. As the creative force behind Beverly Hills 90210, Star is often credited for reviving Spelling Television Inc. Along with the success of his professional career, Star is committed to supporting the arts and the Jewish community. The MorningStar Commission, founded by Hadassah, will be presenting its "Marlene Marks Woman of Inspiration" Award to Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and author Wendy Wasserstein for her powerful voice as a Jewish woman in the entertainment world and her commitment to inclusion of the Jewish experience in her work. Wasserstein’s body of work includes the plays, The Heidi Chronicles, The Sisters Rosensweig, Uncommon Women and Others and American Daughter, the novel, Shiksa Goddess and the film, The Object of My Affection.

Photo: Darren Star.

Recipients in 10 film and television categories will be awarded honors at ceremonies on September 22, 2003 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Honorees were chosen by a distinguished Jewish Image Awards Selection Committee of 12 professionals, representing a cross-section of the entertainment industry. Past recipients of honors at the Jewish Image Awards include Hank Azaria (Uprising), Richard Schiff (The West Wing), Rachel Weisz (Enemy at the Gates), Richard Dreyfuss (The Education of Max Bickford), Tovah Feldshuh (Kissing Jessica Stein), Steven Weber (Club Land), Hannah Taylor Gordon (Anne Frank), Rugrats (Nickelodeon/Klasky-Csupo), Anne Frank (ABC), Varian’s War (Showtime), Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of Kindertransport (Oppenheimer/ Harris), The West Wing (NBC), Band of Brothers “Why We Fight” (HBO/DreamWorks/Playtone) and Backstory: Gentleman’s Agreement (AMC) along with Lifetime Achievement Award winners Arthur Hiller and Jerry Offsay, as well as The MorningStar Commission “Woman of Inspiration” Award winners Patti Felker and Sheila Nevins. The 3^rd Annual Jewish Image Awards in Film and Television will be executive produced by Scott Mauro in association with the National Foundation for Jewish Culture.

ASCAP Foundation Celebrates Stephen Sondheim's 75th Birthday with a Benefit Concert at the Hollywood Bowl

Photo: The ASCAP Foundation celebrates Stephen Sondheim's 75th Birthday with a concert to benefit the new Children Will Listen program. Pictured (l-r) are ASCAP Foundation President Marilyn Bergman, Stephen Sondheim and Honorary Co-Chairs, Warren Beatty and Barbra Streisand.

Hollywood, California- Honorary Chairs Barbra Streisand and Warren Beatty joined ASCAP President and Academy Award winning lyricist, Marilyn Bergman in presenting Stephen Sondheim with an award commemorating the creation of Sondheim's Children Will Listen program of the ASCAP Foundation. This took place on stage at the Hollywood Bowl during a gala celebration of Sondheim's work on July 8th. A stellar line-up of performers paid tribute to Stephen Sondheim in celebration of his 75th birthday year. The Children Will Listen program has been established to bring the musical theater experience to young students nationwide. Jason Alexander, Carol Burnett, Len Cariou, Jason Danieley, Josh Groban, Angela Lansbury, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Bernadette Peters, Emmy Rossum, Elaine Stritch and Vanessa Williams were among those who performed in honor of Mr. Sondheim. The performers were accompanied by The Los Angeles Philharmonic with Paul Gemignani as Musical Director and Conductor. The event was produced and directed by Paul Lazarus. The career of Stephen Sondheim, who is considered one of the greatest composer-lyricists of musicals, has spanned almost 50 years since his Broadway debut in 1957 as the lyricist of West Side Story. Sondheim went on to write many scores that challenged musical theatre conventions including: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins and Passions. Source: ASCAP.

Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire

on View at Brooklyn Museum October 28, 2005-June 4, 2006

Twenty-one extraordinary Roman-period mosaics from the first archaeological ruins of an ancient synagogue to be discovered in modern times will be on view October 28, 2005 through June 4, 2006, at the Brooklyn Museum. This exhibition will examine the role of these mosaics, acquired by the Museum in 1905, in the development of synagogue decoration in the late Roman Empire. Approximately thirty-eight related artifacts, such as contemporaneous textiles, marble statues, gold jewelry, and bronze ritual objects, will be included. "Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire" will investigate the origins of synagogues, the development of Jewish art in the Roman period, female patronage in the ancient synagogue, the differences between early Christian and Jewish symbolism in art, and the relationship between ancient and modern synagogues. Twelve of the mosaic panels that will be on display were part of the sanctuary floor of the synagogue in Hammam Lif, Tunisia (the ancient Punic city of Naro, later the Roman Aquae Persianae), the primary subjects of which are Creation and Paradise. The Latin inscription on the floor panels indicates that Julia of Naro gave the floor to the community. Two menorahs flank the inscription. Included are depictions of a tree in Paradise, sea animals and birds in a scene portraying Creation, and symbolic birds and baskets that relate to the themes of Creation and the coming of the Messiah. Decorative motifs include birds and fruits. The remaining nine panels come from other rooms in the building and other nearby buildings. They depict animals, a male figure, and a female figure.

The discovery of these mosaics, last on view in Brooklyn in 1998, ushered in the birth of synagogue archaeology on February 17, 1883, when the French army captain Ernest de Prudhomme ordered soldiers under his command in Hammam Lif, Tunisia, to prepare his backyard for a garden. Instead of planting vegetables, Prudhomme and his men unearthed the first archaeological ruins of a Roman-period synagogue. Eventually, synagogue archaeology would revolutionize modern understanding of ancient Jewish life and religion. Modern scholars have recognized that the gloomy picture of Jewish life in the later Roman Empire portrayed in texts must be viewed alongside a decidedly different picture formed from archaeological evidence. Archaeological remains of ancient synagogues from Turkey to Spain and from Hungary to Tunisia show that many Jewish communities prospered in spite of official intolerance. Other discoveries of ancient synagogues in modern Israel, Jordan, Syria, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Italy reveal the vitality of Jewish life around the Mediterranean Sea during the Roman Empire and an unexpected tolerance from their non-Jewish neighbors. "Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire" has been organized by Edward Bleiberg, Associate Curator in the Brooklyn Museum's Department of Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art. It is accompanied by a full-color catalogue by Dr. Bleiberg, published by the Brooklyn Museum. As an appendix, the volume includes a previously unpublished 1905 study of the mosaics by the early Brooklyn Museum researcher Henri de Morgan. A variety of educational programs will be presented in conjunction with the exhibition, including gallery talks.

ON DISPLAY AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM: "Michelangelo of the Menagerie": Bronze by Antoine-Louis Barye

Photo: Wolf Holding a Stag by the Throat, Model 1843, Cast Date Unknown. Bronze. Brooklyn Museum.

Michelangelo of the Menagerie: Bronze Works by Antoine-Louis Barye features approximately seventy works from the Brooklyn Museum’s holdings of bronzes and watercolors by the French artist Antoine-Louis Barye (1795–1875). Dubbed the “Michelangelo of the Menagerie” by the contemporaneous art critic Théophile Gautier, Barye devoted his career to animal subjects, from sweet groupings of woodland creatures to violent encounters between predator and prey to mortal combats between the fantastic monsters of ancient myths. He blended the romantic taste for the exotic and the sublime power of nature with the scientific exactitude of a flourishing modern zoology, lending an air of accuracy to every claw, fang, and scale. Trained as a goldsmith, Barye began his career working on animal subjects as minute embellishments for functional, if sumptuous, decorative objects. After military service in the Napoleonic army, he began formal studies in the fine arts. Throughout his life, Barye frequented menageries in and around Paris—most notably, the zoo at the Jardin des Plantes. He also attended dissections of animals at the Museum of Natural History, where he served as the Master of Zoological Drawing from 1854 until his death. At the outset of his career, Barye submitted works to the state-sponsored annual Salon and won acclaim in the early 1830s for plaster models of his predatory scenes, including Tiger Devouring a Gavial (1831) and Lion Crushing a Serpent (1833)—works included in this exhibition as bronze casts. This success brought princely private commissions from the house of Orléans and prestigious public ones from the state. After his early success, Barye’s critical fortunes were mixed: avant-garde writers praised his sculptures, which challenged the hierarchy of the genre with their monumentality and verve, while traditionalists lamented the lack of overt educational or moral value in his work. Scholars have since suggested that the violence in Barye’s scenes is evocative of the bloody Napoleonic wars and the turbulence of the French political scene. After a refusal from the Salon in the late 1830s, Barye concentrated on the fabrication of small bronze works for a broader commercial market. This relatively large-scale serial production of affordable bronzes popularized Barye’s work in both Europe and the United States. The wealthy American investment banker Cyrus J. Lawrence collected the vast majority of the works displayed in this exhibition. At his death, the entirety of Lawrence’s collection of Barye bronzes and watercolors was auctioned in 1910 and acquired as a set by the Brooklyn Museum with funds donated as part of a special subscription. This exhibition is being organized by Judith F. Dolkart, Assistant Curator, Department of European Painting and Sculpture. Location: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052. Telephone: (718) 638-5000; TTY: (718) 399-8440. Admission: Contribution: $8; Students with Valid ID: $4; Adults 65 and over: $4; Members: Free; Children under 12: Free. Hours: Wednesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs present "Lilia", written and performed by the fabulous Libby Skala aboard THE YANKEE FERRY in TriBeCa.

Photo: Libby Skala in LILIA! by Doug Miner.

“One actor, cloaked in magic…Ms. Skala does a marvelous rendition, in an evocative Middle European patois, of her grandmother’s velveteen, old world charm. An adoring portrait…deliciously poignant…Libby Skala is magnetic in a part that clearly means the world to her.” THE NEW YORK TIMES...Read the full article

The 17th annual Boston Jewish Film Festival will take place November 2 - 13, 2005. The schedule will be posted in early October.

FILM: The Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center (MVHC) Summer Institute Presents The Boston Jewish Film Festival. The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center (MVHC) Summer Institute once again presents a summer series of films curated by The Boston Jewish Film Festival.

Ronit Elkabetz and Lior Ashkenazi Photo: Simmer and Smoke: Ronit Elkabetz and Lior Ashkenazi play dueling lovers in 'Late Marriage.'

Sunday, July 31 at 7:30pm
Walk on Water
The lively Walk on Waterfollows a fierce Israeli Mossad agent (played by Lior Ashkenazi from Late Marriage) and a second-generation Holocaust survivor on assignment to track down an aging Nazi war criminal who is posing as a tour guide. What begins as a deceptive mission crossing from Jerusalem to Berlin dissolves into a deeply personal and political journey through conflicting ideologies and histories. Directed by Eytan Fox (Yossi and Jagger). (English/Hebrew/German w/subtitles)

Photo: Joe Fab interviews Linda Hooper during the making of PAPER CLIPS.

Sunday, August 7 at 7:30pm
Paper Clips
Guest Speakers: Joe Fab, writer and co-director, Paper Clips
Linda Hooper, Principal, Whitwell Middle School, who is featured in film
Kaj Wilson: Artistic Director, Boston Jewish Film Festival
Paper Clipsis a moving documentary about a inspired project that took place in what might seem the most unlikely of places: the rural mountain community of Whitwell, Tennessee, population 1600.

PAPER CLIPS was selected as one of the five Best Documentaries of 2004 by the National Board of Review.

In a quest to honor the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust, the students of Whitwell Middle School collected a paper clip for each life lost in the tragedy. Under the charismatic leadership of the school’s principal Linda Hooper, dedicated teachers and staff, the children’s Holocaust memorial has become an ongoing and powerful testament to the ecumenical spirit: “Changing the World…One Class at a Time.” In English.

Screenings take place on Sunday nights at 7:30pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center on Center Street in Vineyard Haven. Doors open at 6:45 and there will be complimentary refreshments offered until the films begin. Admission is $10.

Nina’s Tragedies

Winner of eleven Israeli Academy Awards and the top Israeli box office draw last year, Nina’s Tragedies had its U.S. premiere at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Billed as “A Very Sad Comedy,” the film is told in flashback from the point of view of a 14-year-old boy. Nadav must cope with his parents’ divorce, his high-strung mother, and his newly Orthodox father. Packed off to live with his beautiful Aunt Nina (Ayelet Zurer), with whom he is secretly and utterly smitten, he shares in his aunt’s suffering when her husband dies and he is devastated when a new man enters her life. Director Savi Gabizon shows that there is room for grace and humor amid the sadness and conflict of daily life.

Director: Savi Gabizon

Israel, released 2003

Duration: 110 min., 35 mm

Language: Hebrew w/subtitles

Show Times 7:00 pm Thursday, October 28, AMC Framingham 16
A Boston-Haifa Film Connection Selection

9:30 pm Saturday, November 6, Coolidge Corner Theatre
A Boston-Haifa Film Connection Selection
Visiting Artist: Director Savi Gabizon

7:00 pm Wednesday, November 10, West Newton Cinema
A Boston-Haifa Film Connection Selection

The Boston Jewish Film Festival co-presents a return two-screening engagement of last year's popular Festival Closing Night Feature, Lost Embrace at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. August 21 at 1pm and August 25 at 8pm.

Lost Embrace
Daniel Burman, Argentina, 2004
99 min., 35 mm, Spanish w/subtitles
August 21 at 1pm- August 25 at 8pm

This is Ariel's world: a small shopping mall in downtown Buenos Aires, where the Italian shopkeepers shout all day, the Koreans sell feng-shui, his mother sells bras, and old Osvaldo sells nothing. Ariel wants to start a new life in Europe, and wonders why his father never returned after leaving home to fight in the Yom Kippur War. In this story of a first, painful encounter between a father and his adult son, Daniel Burman conjures up a little world of engaging characters who pursue their humble dreams with gentle humor and an infectious generosity of spirit. Burman is in the vanguard of new filmmaking talent emerging from Latin America. Lost Embrace won the prestigious Silver Bear at the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival, and actor Daniel Hendler, the film's star and the director's alter-ego, also won a Silver Bear for his performance as Ariel, a role he cultivated in Burman's Waiting for the Messiah (BJFF2001).

Tickets are $8 for MFA, BJFF, and WGBH members, seniors, and students; $9 for general admission. To order tickets over the phone with a credit card, call the MFA Box Office at 617-369-3306, or visit www.mfa.org/film. No phone orders accepted for same-day screenings; tickets are available at the MFA Box Office.

The 25th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

FILMS

I Like It a Lot.

Directed by:
Jay Rosenblatt. Principal cast: the director's two-year-old, Ella; a chocolate ice cream cone; and a clean white shirt. Topic: Family & Genealogy, Comedy, Women, Baby Boomers, Children, Unaffiliated Jews.

ANYA

California Premiere. Directed by:
Marian Marzynski

How would you like to have an unrelenting documentary filmmaker for a parent? Emmy-award winner Marian Marzynski is a doting father, and he loves his daughter Anya to within an inch of her life with the camera he hasn't put down for 30 years. At the outset, cute little Anya is a natural ham--it's a match seemingly made in heaven, a home movie buff with a hilarious, rambunctious mini-star. But the arrangement sours as Anya matures and becomes aware that there is a life beyond camera range. Marzynski's dilemma is that such tension makes for good cinema--but for familial tranquility, it's not so good.

Photo: Marian Marzynski

Marzynski, a Polish Holocaust survivor, aches to record and give order to an archetypal upbringing he never experienced himself. But as much as he wants it all to come out perfect, to his credit he never blinks. However desperately Anya may want to draw the curtain, he stubbornly continues the narrative he can't or won't stop. And Anya doesn't blink either. By the time she reaches adolescence, both have learned to use the camera (i.e., the audience) to exact judgment. Of course, life gets more complicated as time goes on, and despite the tumult of their relationship, their tango continues. Through it all, the film is a test and a testament to love and honesty. But please--don't try this at home.