Universal themes

Film fest puts spotlight on Jewish culture

Atlanta will see its first festival of films by or about Jewish people or devoted to Jewish culture from Oct. 29-Nov. 5. The Atlanta Chapter of the 94-year-old American Jewish Committee has compiled 23 films from nine countries that increase awareness of Jewish history, culture and values, while focusing on themes that speak to all audiences.The festival’s opening night gala features the Atlanta premiere of Just Looking, the directorial debut of “Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander, which features screenwriter Marshall Karp in attendance. Actors, directors and speakers will be present for other screenings.
Special evenings include a Yiddish triple feature (“Village of Idiots,” “Isa Kremer: The People’s Diva” and “Yiddish Karaoke”) on Oct. 31 and three films on the Holocaust (Silence, Andre’s Lives and Letter Without Words) on Nov. 1. The festival features the 1998 Oscar-winner for best documentary short, “The Personals: Improvisations on Romance in the Golden Years,” in addition to Packing for Two and Ocean Avenue Nov. 2.
The screening schedule follows.
Mon., Oct. 30
Opening Gala: Just Looking
Rich Auditorium, Woodruff Arts Center
1280 Peachtree St.,
5:30 & 8:30 p.m.
Chronicle of Love
Phipps Plaza AMC, 7 p.m.
Hannah
Mansell AMC, 7 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 31
Yiddish Series: “Village of Idiots,” “Isa Kremer: The People’s Diva,” “Yiddish Karaoke”
Selig Center, 1440 Spring St., 7 p.m.
Hannah
Phipps Plaza AMC, 7 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 1
Holocaust Series: “Silence,” “Andre’s Lives,” “Letter Without Words”
Selig Center, 7 p.m.
Man Is Woman
Phipps Plaza AMC, 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 2
“Packing for Two,” “Ocean Avenue,” “The Personals”
Woodruff Arts Center, 2 p.m.
Hitchhikers
Woodruff Arts Center
6 p.m. Twilight Showing
Autumn Sun
Phipps Plaza AMC, 7 p.m.
Vulcan Junction
Woodruff Arts Center, 7:45 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 3
Evgeny Khaldei
Selig Center, 11 a.m.Sat., Nov. 4
Yana’s Friends
Phipps Plaza AMC, 7 p.m.
Vulcan Junction
Mansell AMC, 7:30 p.m.
Freud Leaving Home
Phipps Plaza AMC, 9:30 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 5
Return of Sarah’s Daughters
Woodruff Arts Center, 1 p.m.
Genesis
Woodruff Arts Center, 3:30 p.m.
From Swastika to Jim Crow
Woodruff Arts Center, 3:30 p.m.
Soleil
Woodruff Arts Center, 7 p.m.