Based on a David Bezmozgis short story, Minyan is an absorbing coming-of-age tale set in 1980s Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. The son of Russian immigrants, 17 year old David struggles under the weight of religious tradition, familial expectations and his own sexual identity. In order to secure a room for his grandfather in an old age … Continue reading Minyan
USA 2023, 106 mins, English, Director Kelly Fremon Craig, featuring Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson This coming-of-age comedy drama film, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, is based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume. Eleven year old Margaret Simon moves with her family from New York City to a New … Continue reading Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
Netherlands/UK 2022, 69 mins, English, Polish, German, Yiddish; Director Bianca Stigter, narrated by Helen Bonham Carter Three Minutes: A Lengthening presents a home movie shot by David Kurtz in 1938 in a Jewish town in Poland and tries to postpone its ending. As long as we are watching, history is not over yet. The three … Continue reading Three Minutes: A Lengthening
In this illustrated talk, Jenny King tells the remarkable story of her grandfather Sam King and his journey from an impoverished Jewish immigrant family to a cinema and property mogul. Together with his friend Alf Shipman, they fulfilled their dream of building a chain of magnificent Art Deco cinemas, starting in the First World War with … Continue reading Shipman and King Cinemas: a celebration of Jewish enterprise and family
Italy 2022, 128 mins, Italian (with English subtitles); Director Giuseppe Piccione, featuring Riccardo Scarmarcio, Benedetta Porcaroli The film is set in 1938 Italy. Like the majority of his fellow Italians, decorated war veteran and restaurant manager Luciano is a staunch supporter of the country’s fascist regime. Shortly after the Italian racial laws are introduced, Anna, a … Continue reading Shadow of the Day
Malkah is a child when her father tries to teach her to read Torah. But they don’t get very far. As Malkah studies, her questions multiply. She discovers an earlier, hidden story of creation within the Hebrew Aleph-Bet letters in the first line of Genesis. And a door opens. Thus starts the award-winning film, The … Continue reading A Journey into the Mystical Aleph-Bet
Israel, Poland, Columbia 2022, 96 mins, English sub-titles Director Leon Prudovsky, featuring David Hayman, Udo Kier Colombia, 1960. A lonely and grumpy Holocaust survivor convinces himself that his new neighbour is none other than Adolf Hitler. Not being taken seriously, he starts an independent investigation to prove his claim, but when the evidence still appears … Continue reading My Neighbor Adolf
Australia, South Africa, UK 2020, 106 mins, English Director Francis Annan, featuring Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Webber, Ian Hart Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, this is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa in the late 1970s. Two white South Africans, Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee, are … Continue reading Escape from Pretoria
Last Musician of Auschwitz UK 2025, 90 mins, English Director Toby Trackman, featuring Anita Lasker-Wallfisch How can there be music in the worst place in the world? Told through the words of victims of the camp who played and created music during the terrors of the Holocaust, this film shows how music could be a … Continue reading Last Musician of Auschwitz
Golda USA/UK 2023,100 mins, English Director Guy Nattiv, featuring Helen Mirren, Liev Schreiber Set during the tense 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir is faced with the potential of Israel’s complete destruction. She must navigate overwhelming odds, a sceptical cabinet and a complex relationship with US Secretary … Continue reading Golda
If you have an event relating to Jewish culture or relevant to DAVAR members that you would like us to publicise, please email us at info@davarbristol.co.uk.