South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Virtual fest features more than 50 Jewish-themed films
The 2021 Virtual Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival features more than 50 films from around the world for people to view from their homes through May 16.
The Jewish-themed films screening during the BRJFF, which is hosted by the Adolph & Rose
Levis Jewish Community Center’s Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center in Boca Raton, range from historical dramas to documentaries.
The virtual festival also includes Q&A webinars with filmmakers, cast members and community lecturers, as well as the opportunity for people to view a film up to 72 hours after its scheduled time.
The festival opened with the Florida premiere of the Canadian musical “Stand!” The film, directed by Robert Adetuyi, is based on the 2005 stage musical “Strike!” and set during the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919.
Another film making its Florida premiere is “The One and Only Jewish Miss America - Bess Myerson,” which is available to view through Jan. 17. The documentary follows Myerson, who in 1945 became the first and only Jewish contestant to date to win the Miss America title, from her humble beginnings in a Jewish housing project to her surprise victory at the beauty pageant at the tail end of World War II.
David Arond, the film’s director, said, “Bess Myerson was a role model for advocating for tolerance and equality.”
“I hope audiences will take away the inspiring story of a remarkable woman, the daughter of immigrants, who brought joy and pride to Jewish people of all ages in 1945 — just months after the liberation of Nazi death camps — when she was crowned Miss America,” Arond continued.
Late in her life, Myerson was a South Florida resident, moving to Fort Lauderdale in 2001 and then to Boca Raton shortly after, before she moved to California, where she remained there until her death in 2014 at age 90.
“We are especially happy that the documentary will be screened in Boca Raton,” Arond said.
“Bess Myerson was the consummate New Yorker, growing up in the Bronx and having a long career in entertainment, journalism and working for the city of
New York. Yet, she chose Boca Raton and lived there until failing health led her to move to California to be close to her only child, Barra Grant.”
Arond continued, “A number of Bess’s friends still live in South Florida.”
“I think they will enjoy this film and I hope they will tune in to the panel discussion,” he said. “Barra will be calling in from Santa Monica. She has many memories of visiting her mother in Boca Raton.”
Other film screenings include the U.S. Premiere of “Love It Was Not,” playing through Jan. 14, “Maverick Modigliani” which can be viewed from Feb. 14-16 and the Israeli drama “Asia,” which stars Shira Haas, star of Netflix’s “Unorthodox” and winner of the Best Actress Award at the Tribeca Film Festival 2020, from Feb. 23-25.
“While we are still unable to host our community of film enthusiasts in local theaters, we now have the unique opportunity to present more films than ever, all while expanding our reach far beyond county lines,” said Wendy Honig, the festival’s artistic director, in a news release.
Lesley Rich, the festival’s program and production director, said in the news release, “Our strong relationship with the film industry has allowed us to present our patrons with a high-quality line-up of films and speakers year after year, in turn, we are able to continue to inspire, educate and connect with our community year after year.”
Films can be seen on various platforms by downloading the Eventive TV app which is available on devices such as Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast and others.
Visit bocajff.org to view a full program guide with dates, showtimes, trailers, a synopsis of each film and Q&As, as well as ticket packages.
Contact Lisa Barash at lisab@bocafed.org or call 561-558-2514 for more information.