International Jewish Film Festival

Mateusz Szczepaniak, 16 November 2016
Numerous interesting films on Jewish subjects await movie-goers at the International Jewish Film Festival which commences on 18th at Kino Muranów, including films relating to the Holocaust.

The Festival is dedicated to the Jewish people - their identity, traditions, culture and history. Over the past twelve years, the latest and most interesting films have been screened from all over the world. This year, the Festival will open with a screening of The Store on Main Street, directed by Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos, marking the fiftieth anniversary of this Czechoslovakian film's winning an Oscar.

Many contemporary films are included in the program including Bente and Olek directed by Andrzej Titkow, telling the story of Bente Kahan and Aleksander Gleichgewich, who contributed to the rebuilding of Jewish life in Wrocław, 7 Days in St. Petersburg, about emigrants torn between their home in Russia and their new homeland of Israel. Last year's award-winning film Son of Saul will also be screened.

We draw special attention to films presenting the stories of Jews being rescued during the Holocaust. Andrzej Wolf's documentary The Story of Irena Sendler will be screened on Thursday 19th May (at 5:30 pm) and on Saturday 21st May (4:50 pm). This film contains unique interviews with its heroine which took place towards the end of her life.

We also recommend Klezmer directed by Piotr Chrzan. This drama shows the diversity of attitudes by Polish peasants towards Jews during the War. Screening time: Saturday 21st May at 6:00 pm.

All screenings will take place in Warsaw's Kino Muranów from 18th to 22nd May 2016 - admission is free to all screenings.

The Festival's Program can be viewed at www.jewishmotifs.org.pl.

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is a Major Partner of this Festival.