UK Jewish Film Festival

The UK Jewish Film Festival, which runs from October 30 to November 17, is in its 17th year. With over 60 films being shown across the fortnight from all around the world including Israel, Argentina, USA, UK, Germany, France and the Czech Republic, the 2013 festival will be bigger than ever.

Over the years, the festival has helped dispel the myth that Jewish film is made for Jewish tastes only, and has made a name for itself as one of the biggest events in the movie calendar. With well-known mainstream writers and directors such as the Coen brothers and Woody Allen being featured, along with big acting names including Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamatti and Ben Kingsley, it is obvious that the festival is more inclusive and impressive than it might initially sound.

Out of the mainstream, but no less appealing because of it, there are a number of documentaries being screened this year featuring Israeli dance. For example, Let’s Dance! will be shown on November 3 and will invite the audience to join in with a giant traditional Hora after the event. Jewish culture is also celebrated in Hava Nagila (The Movie), an uplifting documentary about the well-known Jewish song Hava Nagila that everyone loves to hate.

This year features many films of varied genres, but comedy seems to be the overwhelming focus of the festival with movies such as Cupcakes, directed by Eytan Fox; a musical comedy about love, life and friendship, promoted as the “guiltiest pleasure of the year”. This, along with the “Tarantino-esque orgy of violence”, Eagles (based on the sensational novel by Yoram Kanuik), and Afternoon Delight (a tragicomic, award-winning drama about sexual relationships) makes this festival one to get involved in if you like your films culturally varied, your comedies poignant and your dramas beautifully funny.

The UK Jewish Film Festival’s opening night gala kicks off with the UK premiere of The Jewish Cardinal at the BFI Southbank on October 30.

Laura Tucker

Watch the promotional video for the UK Jewish Film Festival 2013 here: