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Igor Shteyrenberg, Executive Director of the Miami Jewish Film Festival, has an unwavering commitment to community unity as he steers clear of divisions and embraces diversity through the captivating power of storytelling. He is a fine young man.
As Igor and his team prepare for the MJFF annual event, let me spotlight several films that embody the essence of Igor’s love of movies and his vision without delving into the pain and sadness of today’s messy politics.
• “Film Geek” is a joyous and emotional look back at a movie obsessed kid growing up in New York City, and his relationship with his mysterious father. This passion, reminiscent of “Cinema Paradiso” and its kiss scene, is crafted entirely out of film clips from more than 200 movies, as well as his personal archives. Emmy and DGA award-winning director Richard Shepard searches for the reasons that have created this powerful fascination in him. The film explores the love of movies through clips intertwined with teenaged movies made by Shepard and his friends with deeply personal details of family life. The roll call of films ranges from intellectual to rough, just like all of our own film evolution.
• “The City” captures individuals exploring love, ambition, and resilience amidst the vibrant chaos of city life. Inspired by black music, film noir and detective films, the plot focuses on Joe, a cynical and bitter detective working in a corrupt, decaying city. Some have labeled it the first Hebrew rap musical.
• “Victory” centers around the pursuit of triumph celebrating the human spirit’s ability to achieve shared goals.
• “The Catskills” revisits a bygone era within the Catskills, reflecting on the importance of shared spaces in cultivating unity and preserving heritage. Lex Gillespie’s documentary tells the story of the rise and fall of “the Jewish Alps” outside New York City, when Mrs. Maisel met Dirty Dancing.
MJFF always provides a platform for interaction and engagement. Panel discussions, filmmaker insights, and community events further conversations, encouraging deeper understanding. As STEM studies have replaced Humanities as a so-called essential course of study, it is repeatedly hinted – a computer coder earns more than an English major. This is a terrible shame. Simply, look at the lack of humanity, the ethical failures, and the heartless cruelty which seems increasingly evident each day.
The Miami Jewish Film Festival has always stood as a testament to the power of art to unite. Through its dedication to narratives that try to bridge divides, it embodies the values of inclusivity and shared humanity, while it reinforces the importance of empathy, understanding, and connection in today’s world.
The festival is slated to captivate audiences from January 11th to January 25th 2024.
Screenings will take place across venues such as the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, Miami Theater Center, Temple Beth Am, Coral Gables Art Cinema, O Cinema South Beach, and a few more.
As the festival approaches, it invites all to partake in this celebration of cultural diversity, unity, and transformative storytelling. Through these films and engaging events, it’s an opportunity to reflect, connect, and embrace the vibrant tapestry of our collective journey.
For more information on schedules, films, and ticketing go here: https://miamijewishfilmfestival.org/
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