Yoo Hoo Mrs. Goldberg

Written, produced and directed by Aviva Kempner. This movie was a New York Times Critic’s Pick in 2009.

Join us for a special reception with filmmaker Aviva Kempner on Saturday evening, March 13, 6:00 p.m. at the Blue Spiral 1 prior to the film screening at 7:30 p.m.. Opening night reception and film $18. Q&A with Aviva Kempner will occur after the screening.

Aviva Kempner’s humorous and eye-opening story of television pioneer Gertrude Berg, the creator, principal writer, and star of The Goldbergs. A popular radio show for 17 years, it became television’s very first character-driven domestic sitcom in 1949. Gertrude Berg received the first Best Actress Emmy in history paving the way for women in the entertainment industry.

More Information: IMDB, Official Website

Room and a Half

Directed by Andrey Khrzhanovsky. In Russian with English subtitles.

Inspired by the life of Nobel Prize winning Russian poet Joseph Brodsky, A Room and a Half is the first feature film, with a touch of magical realism, by renowned animator Andrey Khrzhanovsky. While back in his homeland, the fictional Brodsky reflects on his youth, young adulthood, and awareness of the oppressive Soviet government.

More Information: IMDB

Zarim (Strangers)

Directed by Erez Tadmor and Guy Nattiv. Multilingual with English subtitles. This film was a Grand Jury nominee at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

He’s Israeli, she’s Palestinian. They meet by accident in Berlin during the frenzy of the World Cup finals where relief at running into somebody from “home” quickly turns to desire. Can love trump politics? Sexy, brave, and provocative, Strangers is a true high wire act. Shot on location and working without a script, the actors met for the first time on set and improvised.

More Information: IMDB

In a Dream

Directed by Jeremiah Zagar. Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature at the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival.

Isaiah Zagar is Philadelphia’s version of Antonio Gaudi: for over 40 years he has created over 100 concentrated mosaics, many in his South Philly neighborhood. In a Dream was directed by his son Jeremiah and explores the artist’s inner demons as well as his prolific output. Q&A with mosaic artist Jessica Levine, who worked with Zagar for many years, after each screening.

More Information: IMDB

Killing Kasztner

Directed by Gaylen Ross

The Deutsch Family Film. In memory of Alfred and Bernice Deutsch and in memory of Gerald Cohen

Join us for a special film festival closing reception with filmmaker Gaylen Ross on Thursday evening, March 18, 6:00 p.m. at the Blue Spiral 1 prior to the film screening at 7:30 p.m.. Closing night reception and film $18. Q&A with Ms. Ross after each screening.

A documentary of the search for the truth regarding Rezso Kasztner, a Jewish-Hungarian lawyer, who negotiated with Adolf Eichmann for the last million Jews of Europe. Considered a hero for his heart-stopping rescue of almost 1700 Jews on a train to Switzerland, in what became known as “Kasztner’s train,” this extraordinary feat was later cast as an act of betrayal. A tale of murder, intrigue, and heroism with startling revelations after 50 years by Kasztner’s assassin, and a chilling meeting between the killer and Kasztner’s only daughter, Zsuzsi.

More Information: IMDB, Official Website

The Lazy Environmentalist

Asheville resident Josh Dorfman is author and television host of the Sundance Channel’s popular program The Lazy Environmentalist. Join us for screenings of some of the program’s episodes and a fun Q&A with Josh Dorfman as he takes time out from filming to be with us at both screenings.