Where in Columbus can you schmooze over whiskey and hors d’oeuvres then see a flick from France? Peruse famous works of art alongside the big screen? Or meet a film’s director, then together nosh on Israeli cuisine? You can do all this and more in one event: the Columbus Jewish Film Festival.
Running November 4-18, the Eighth Annual Columbus Jewish Film Festival features a compelling lineup with more films and opportunities to interact with the filmmakers than ever before. This year’s festival brings to town cinema from all over the world: 12 films you won’t see anywhere else in central Ohio.
The Columbus Museum of Art will host a not-to-be-missed opening night celebration on November 4. My Best Enemy, a thrilling WWII-era caper, is sure to bring laughs. No, I’m serious. How can one movie thrill you one minute, have you crying the next, then turn around and make you laugh out loud? Co-writers Paul Hengge and Wolfgang Murnberger, who also directs the film, manage to successfully channel Quentin Tarantino for a movie that feels epic in scope but tender in heart.
In this story of swapped identities and Nazi foibles, two lifelong friends are torn apart by betrayal and war. Reminiscent of Inglourious Basterds in its use of absurdist humor and a sweeping, twist-filled plot, My Best Enemy has everything you could ever want in a movie. Thoroughly satisfying, it truly is a comedy, drama, romance, and thriller all at the same time. Whatever mood you’re in, you will be sucked in by this film. And in the end, you will enjoy the champagne and dessert reception that immediately follows the 7 p.m. screening at the museum.
Everyone from serious film buffs to folks just looking for a fun night out will find something appealing in this year’s lineup. If you were hoping for the whiskey and hors d’oeuvres instead of champagne and dessert, then “Schmmmovie: Schmooze, Munch & Movie” on November 15 is sure to please. Schmooze over cocktails and appetizers at Barrel 44 in Bexley, then see The Day I Saw Your Heart at the Drexel. Starring Melanie Laurent from Inglourious Basterds, the film is a comedic look at the tensions of father-daughter relationships.
And speaking of tension…there’s also plenty of that in this year’s festival. “Doc Sunday,” November 11, presents a more serious side to the festival. The Drexel Theater will screen three documentaries: Standing Silent, An Article of Hope, and The Flat. Standing Silent examines what happens when a journalist refuses to remain silent and exposes a sexual abuse scandal within his own Jewish community. The Flat shows how a family recovers from the discovery of their grandmother’s secret past. An Article of Hope chronicles the journey of Israel’s first astronaut. Audience members can discuss the films with their creators during Q&A sessions following both Standing Silent and An Article of Hope.
For more information, tickets, and a complete listing of the festival’s many great films and events, visit www.cjfilmfest.org or call (614) 559-6212.
GCAC Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.
