Boston Jewish Film Festival Summer Cinematheque Happening Now

The Boston Jewish Film Festival’s Summer Cinematheque series is screening all new Jewish films across Boston through August 8. “We’re modeling this mini-festival off the original,” says Ariana Cohen-Halberstam, BJFF artistic director. “We’re trying to show a spectrum of Jewish life.”

Cohen-Halberstam finds the films at international events like the Cannes Film Festival and the Jerusalem Film Festival. The Summer Cinematheque screens a separate set of films from the main Boston Jewish Film Festival in November, so this is one of the most accessible ways for Boston-area residents to enjoy fresh, new art pieces.

Last week the Coolidge Corner Theatre hosted “Memoir of War,” an adaptation of Marguerite Duras’s autobiographical struggle to find her deported husband in Nazi territory. On Wednesday, July 25, West Newton Cinema will screen “Spiral,” a look into the resurgence of anti-Semitism in France through individual stories. The following day attendees can see “Mr. and Mrs. Adelman,” a tale of love, intellect, and pride, at the Museum of Fine Arts’s Remis Auditorium.

Cohen-Halberstam points to “Mr. and Mrs. Adelman” as an example of what the film does best, bringing together different groups over discourse. “Some people will look at that as a French film, some people will look at it as a Jewish film and this way we can wear both hats,” she says.

The breadth of venues allows the films to be seen by a wide spectrum of viewers. Cohen-Halberstam says the film festival isn’t just for people of Jewish descent or identity; it’s a learning experience for all. “I’ve often had people tell me they bring partners to the festival to learn more about their identity,” she says. “The point for me is to create a conversation.”

BJFF has been bringing spectacular Jewish films to Boston for 30 years. From 10 screenings in its first year to over 60 now, the festival has welcomed 300,000 audience members into its theaters. It’s not all popcorn and film reels either. The festival is known for its in-depth conversations with filmmakers and other guests post-screening. Music and dance performances and live podcast recordings can also be experienced during the November full-length festival.

In the meantime, the Summer Cinematheque provides plenty of thought-provoking material. It’s a great way for attendees to get to know the festival and their neighbors. “It gives people a different perspective on something they thought they already knew,” says Cohen-Halberstam. “This is a festival for everybody.”

By Celina Colby

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