Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival

The Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival screens extraordinary, award-winning and exclusive films on April 17 at the Del Mar Theater, April 19 at Temple Beth El Jewish Community Center, and April 23 at the Aptos Cinema in the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center.

Admission is $10 general, $8 students and seniors.

Admission to “Watchers of the Sky” on Saturday night, April 23, 7:40 p.m. is FREE for students.

SCHEDULE OF FILMS:

Thursday, April 17 Del Mar Theater
1124 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz

5:30 p.m. SHTISEL TV Drama, Hebrew and English with English subtitles, 50 minutes

Episode #1 of the hit Israeli TV series offers a revealing look into the feelings and yearnings of an orthodox family. Excellent script, acting, and direction provide a window into the humanity under the black frocks and tzitzi. Akiva and Shulem Shtisel, father and son, share a Jerusalem apartment. A year has passed since the mother died. All the other children have left the nest and only Shulam and Akiva remain - quarreling, making up and laughing about themselves and the rest of the world. All will change when Akiva meets Elisheva.

Winner of 9 Israeli Academy Awards for Television 2014:
Best TV Drama, Best Director, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editor, Best Music, Best Sound Design, Best Production Design

"Poignantly written, excellently acted and resonant storylines about life, love and loss." -- Renee Ghert-Zand, The Jewish Forward

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6:30 p.m. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Feature, Hebrew with English subtitles, 1 hour 40 minutes
Israel, 2012, Director and Producer: Aner Preminger

The tension and violence of the Second Intifada trigger Israeli mother Ruthie to commit an irrational act. This emotional film plunges us into the heart and mind of Ruthie, who must reconcile love of family with the dangers of everyday life.

"Succeeds in conveying a deep reflection of the political and social reality in Israel." --Dr. Odaya Cohen Raz

"A current reminder of existential anxiety which is not only a symptom that accompanies life in Israel, but also motivates it."
--Dr. Rami Kimchi, Film Critic

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8:15 p.m. WHO DO YOU LOVE
Feature, English, 1 hour 30 minutes
Director: Jeremy Zaks

This fast-paced film follows scrappy, blues-loving businessman Leonard Chess and his brother Phil as they go from scrap metal dealers to blues club proprietors to record company producers and marketers. Their Chicago-based Chess Records shattered the race barrier and brought blues artists Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James, Bo Didley and many others to mainstream America. With great drama and music, this audience favorite is back after playing to a sold out house in 2012.
Rated R for language and sexual situations.

“Who Do You Love… pays attention to the music but to its credit pays even more attention to the actors and story." --Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter