The First Time I Was Twenty
7:00 PM, Brenden Theatres
France, 2004, 94 minutes, French with English subtitles
Laced with humor and a great jazz sound track, this heart-warming film follows the struggles of underdog Hannah, a likeable sixteen year-old living in a Paris suburb in the early 1960’s. Hannah is smart, funny, and plays a mean upright bass. While she is good enough to break the gender barrier, the renowned all-male jazz band at her school refuses to accept her and does its best to make her quit. Her struggle unfolds both as a female and as a Jew.

The Schwartz Dynasty
9:00 PM, Brenden Theatres
Israel, 2004, 104 minutes, Hebrew and Russian with subtitles
In the midst of her struggles to clear the name of her late bribe-taking husband, matriarch Miriam Schwartz befriends the beautiful young niece of a Russian immigrant surgeon-turned-pork-selling-butcher. Soon, the young woman falls in love with the widow’s bar-mitzvah tutoring grandson. The young man, played by Yehuda Levi (Yossi and Jagger), is at odds with his father, a would-be politician who asks for his son’s help in courting the Russian immigrant vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections. It wasn’t made in Paris, but this Israeli film incorporates the best of French comedy as well as having a powerfully moving dark side. Adult content.

Nicholas Winton: The Power of Good
9:30 AM, CCJCC
2002, Czech Republic, 64 minutes, Czech and English with subtitles
Winner of a 2002 International Emmy, this gripping film documents the courage and determination of a 29 year-old English stockbroker who saved the lives of 669 Jewish children, evacuating them from Prague to new homes in Great Britain. Winton’s rescue operation, which took place over a five-month period just before WWII broke out, was a well-kept secret until his wife discovered a scrapbook documenting his mission in 1988. Underwritten by The David B. Gold Foundation, Sinai Memorial Chapel and the Tillie and Rene Fund for Holocaust Remembrance of the Jewish Community Foundation.

Friendly, Enemy Alien (California Premiere)
Noon, CCJCC
Germany, 2005, 90 minutes, German with subtitles
In June 1940, the HMT Dunera leaves Liverpool for Australia crammed with over 2,500 German, Austrian and Italian internees, many of whom were scientists, academics and artists. In this well-researched documentary, we hear from the last survivors of the “Dunera Scandal,” who tell the story of the 57-day long journey and what happened after they were interned by the British Government in an Australian Outback detention camp. Co-sponsor: Congregation B’nai Tikvah and the Consulate General of Germany. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Raphael Asher, whose father was sent to Australia on the Dunera.

Roots: Families for Sale
3:00 p.m., Brenden Theatres
Russia, 2005, 107 minutes, Russian with subtitles
From Russia with love comes this zany black comedy in which “Edik” Letov, clad in an ever-present Hawaiian shirt, charges Jews from around the world $50,000 to be reunited with their long-lost relatives from a particular Ukrainian town. There is one small catch: the town doesn’t exist anymore. The shameless scam artist manufactures everything—from the fake sign welcoming tourists to the fabricated town to “long-lost relatives” who have rehearsed their parts. A Russian version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Adult content. Co-sponsors: Temple Isaiah and the Jewish Community Federation’s Young Leadership Division.

Suzie Gold
6:00 PM, Brenden Theatres
UK, 2004, 94 minutes, English, Adult Content
This British romantic comedy has been called “an utterly charming movie that puts a smile on your face.” Suzie (Summer Phoenix, sister of Joaquin and River) plays the elder daughter of a Jewish family whose parents dream of her marrying the heir to a catering fortune. When she falls in love with a man not on her parent’s recommended list, she must keep the relationship a secret. Phoenix received accolades for her role and Iddo Goldberg (who plays the rather repulsive scion of the catering family) is both hilarious and touching. Co-sponsor: Beth Chaim Congregation and Congregation B’nai Shalom.

Beethoven’s Hair
10:00 AM, CCJCC
Canada, 2005, 82 minutes, German and Danish with subtitles
This award-winning documentary could be renamed “CSI Europe” as it is a scientific investigation of the “medical secret” behind Ludwig van Beethoven’s various maladies, including his deafness, and his untimely death. Beginning with the story of Jewish music student, Ferdinand Hiller, who clipped a lock of hair from his master’s head, the film races through 19th century Vienna, World War II and finally a Sotheby auction where the hair is purchased by a pair of Beethoven enthusiasts, Ira Brilliant and Che Guevara.

What a Wonderful Place
7:30 PM, Brenden Theatres
Israel, 2005, 104 minutes, Hebrew with subtitles
Winner of five Israeli Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and Israel’s Best Film submission to the American Oscars, this gritty film received critical acclaim due to the high caliber of its ensemble cast, being compared to Robert Altman’s Nashville and Paul Haggis’ Crash. It succeeds both as a character study and an expose of illegal workers, focusing on several newcomers to the Holy Land—Jana who has left behind a daughter in the FSU; Thai laborers working on a farm and a Filipino home care attendant. Director Eyal Halfon, noted for his previous work, Circus Palestina, makes us care deeply about his characters.

Code Name: Bayonet
10:00 AM, CCJCC
Israel, 2006, 50 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles
Here is the real story of the Mossad’s top secret “Bayonet” unit which was responsible for Israel’s retaliation against Black September and the perpetrators of the terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics. This compelling documentary revisits the scenes of the operations with the actual Mossad agents responsible for the actions. Underwritten by the Israel Center.

Hats of Jerusalem
10:00 AM, CCJCC
Israel, 2005, 50 minutes, Hebrew, Greek, Amharic and Arabic with subtitles
Shtreimels, tarbouzes, keffiyeh and kippot. What do all of these have in common? These head coverings can identify a person’s culture, faith and even nationality. Featured in this playful, entertaining documentary are “hats” worn by Jerusalem’s diverse population, including Greek, Russian and Armenian Christian clergy, Muslims and Jews.

Like a Fish out of Water
NOON, CCJCC
Israel, 2006, 50 minutes, Hebrew and Spanish with English subtitles
What is a former Argentine television soap opera star doing working in a service station in Israel? And what does he do when he falls in love with an observant Jewish woman whose parents think that he is a marine biologist? A delightful film about life in Israel, mistaken identity and, of course, love.

Before the Fall (Napola)
7:30 PM, Brenden Theatres
Germany, 2005, 105 minutes, German with subtitles
In 1942, Friedrich, the son of a working class anti-Nazi father, is recruited into one of the exclusive Nazi academies known as "Napolas,” Soon, a close friendship develops between Friedrich, recruited for his formidable boxing skills, and a fellow cadet, the sensitive Albrecht, the son of the local Nazi governor. One night, Friedrich and Albrecht are ordered to shoot escaping POW’s who turn out to be unarmed Russian civilians. Tormented with guilt, Albrecht rebels, and Friedrich must choose between his allegiance to the Fuehrer and his best friend’s moral imperative. "Before the Fall commands attention from its very first frame and never lets up right through the fade-out.” --Los Angeles Times. Underwritten by the Tillie and Rene Molho Fund for Holocaust Remembrance of the Jewish Community Foundation. Adult content.

Toots Shor: Bigger Than Life
10:00 AM, CCJCC
USA, 2006, 95 minutes, English
The charismatic, bigger-than-life Toots Shor went from being a bouncer in a mob-owned speakeasy to running one of the most famous nightspots in America. His bar/restaurant was a “watering hole” where Hollywood celebrities and Broadway stars rubbed shoulders with political VIPS and sports heroes. Among the regulars were Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Gleason, Earl Warren and Frank Costello. This compelling documentary features such Toots-friends as Lauren Bacall, Walter Cronkite and Yogi Berra. This film is in memory of Irwin Horowitz.

Seres Queridos (Only Human) (Back by popular demand!)
7:30 p.m., Brenden Theatres
2004, 89 minutes, Spanish with subtitles
In this comedy of mixed identities and personal eccentricities, Leni returns to Madrid to introduce her fiancé Rafi to her Jewish family. Her man-crazy older sister, newly-observant younger brother, fretful mother, precocious eight-year-old niece and forgetful grandfather Dudu are delighted to meet Rafi, mistakenly believing that he is an Israeli Jew (while in reality he is a Palestinian). Part Spanish farce, part Meet the Fockers and part cross-cultural love story, Only Human is both engaging and very, very funny. Adult Content.

A Love to Hide: Un Amour a Taire
10:00 AM, CCJCC
France, 2004, 103 minutes, French with English subtitles
Set in 1942 Nazi-occupied Paris, Jean and Philippe, two gay lovers, risk their lives to hide Sarah, their Jewish childhood friend. When Jean’s Nazi-collaborator brother arrives in town, all of their lives are put into jeopardy. A sweeping wartime tale of love and betrayal. Adult content. Underwritten by the Consulate General of Germany.

Isn’t This a Time
Noon, CCJCC
USA, 2004, 90 minutes, English
While Theodore Bikel, Joan Baez, Peter Paul & Mary, The Weavers, Arlo Guthri and Pete Seeger are known to generations of folk music aficionados, few know the name Harold Leventhal. But for decades, Leventhal, who began his career by plugging Irvin Berlin’s music, managed folk singers. This upbeat, foot-thumping documentary reveals the man behind the music that is often called “the conscience of America.”

Three Mothers (Northern California Premiere)
7:30 PM, Brenden Theatres
Israel, 2006, 106 minutes, Hebrew, Arabic, French with subtitles
Sixty years ago, triplets Rose, Flora and Yasmin were born in Cairo, Egypt into a wealthy family and blessed in person by King Farouk. Today, they live in Israel and spend their time reliving their past. Rose, once a popular singer, dreams of a comeback; Flora has just retired from her work as a midwife and Jasmine is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. But their lives are clouded by secrets. They need to clear their consciences and reach out to their children. This emotionally charged film, winner of the Jerusalem International Film Festival, is a stunningly beautiful, evocative tale of family relationships at their best and worst. Starring Gila Almagor and Rivka Raz. Underwritten by the Consulate General of Israel, Diablo Valley Hadassah & Tikvah Group and the Israel Center.

Something Sweet
10:00 AM, CCJCC
Israel, 2004, 97 minutes, Hebrew with subtitles
A heart warming romantic tale of unrequited and inopportune love set against the backdrop of mysterious superstitions, Moroccan ethnic music and sweet delicacies. Tamar, a pastry chef and the oldest of three close-knit daughters, returns home to help out her parents’ business. Notorious for spurning all of her suitors, she does the unthinkable—falling in love with the fiancée of her youngest sister.

Tuesday, February 27
The First Time I Was Twenty
The Vine, 7:30 PM

Thursday, March 1
Vis, Va et Deviens (Live and Become)
The Vine, 7:30 PM
France-Israel, 2005, 130 minutes, French, Amharic, Hebrew with subtitles
1984. Hundreds of thousands of Africans from 26 countries hit by famine travel to Sudanese refugee camps. But hope awaits for the Jews of Ethiopia, who are airlifted to Israel under Operation Moses. Trying to save her child, a Christian Ethiopian woman seizes the opportunity and sends her young son to join the exodus. Once in Israel, the newly named Shlomo struggles not only with his secret, but also with a new culture and new parents. With the strong support of his adoptive family, he finds love, Israeli culture and a career--a career that will eventually send him back to the same refugee camp he left twenty years before. Underwritten by The David. B. Gold Foundation.