Lots of choices await at SF Jewish Film Fest Here are some highlights of the 39th Bay Area festival

In its 39th year, the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival remains one of the finest curated cinematic experiences in the Bay Area. The festival brings numerous filmmakers, and a wide mix of films, to the Bay Area, with screenings and events in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Albany, Oakland and San Rafael. “Fiddler on the Roof” devotees will want to catch today’s opening-night screening of “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles,” a documentary on the beloved musical. The San Francisco segment’s closing night film is the star-studded “The Red Sea Diving Resort,” a theatrical take on an real-life ’80s real-life mission to secretly relocate refugees from Sudan to Israel. It features Chris Evans, Haley Bennett, Michael Kenneth Williams, Greg Kinnear and Ben Kingsley. There are special events as well, including “HerStory,” a program that includes a panel discussion on the male-dominated world of film criticism, along with a slate of films focusing on women or directed by them. The program includes a screening of “What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael,” a documentary on the career and life of the late film critic and former Berkeley resident. Other events include Take Action Day (Monday), the Next Wave program, which spotlights works of up-and-coming filmmakers; and a Community Shabbat Dinner (Friday). As for which films you should see — we have a few suggestions. “ADAM” » The premise of someone pretending to be the opposite sex to attract a person they’re crushing on isn’t revolutionary. But this funny, pointed and realistic drama from filmmaker Rhys Ernst handles the topic with raw honesty, illustrating how a person really feels in such situations. All the characters are wellwritten and well-played, from the bumbling and gangly Adam (Nicholas Alexander) to his in-and-out-of-love lesbian sister Casey (Margaret Qualley). Screening: 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Castro, San Francisco.

“ADVOCATE” » Berkeley native Rachel Leah Jones rivets us from the start with this intense, in-the-moment documentary on Lea Tsemel, an obsessively driven and gruff Israeli attorney defending Palestinians. Jones’ feature opens a window to who her subject is, while taking on the qualities of a legal thriller as Tsemel and her co-attorney defend a 13-year-old accused of knife attacks. It’s one of my favorite documentaries of 2019. Screenings: 3:20 p.m. July 27 at the Castro; 5:50 July 28 at Albany Twin. “THE KEEPER” » An inspirational biopic about a broken person gaining redemption and a new life through athletics is always welcome. Particularly when it’s done as well as Marcus Rosenmuller’s epic and elegant post-World War II-set feature. David Kross’ modulated performance as a German POW whose soccer skills kick him into the big leagues hits viewers particularly hard near the end. Based on a true story. Screenings: 5:50 p.m. Monday at CineArts, Palo Alto; 6:20 p.m. July 26 at the Castro; 8:30 p.m. July 29 at Albany Twin; 1:45 p.m. Aug. 4 at Smith Rafael, San Rafael. materializes for a neurotic couple living in Paris, sending them on an unforgettable journey. Control-freak Anna (Judith Chemla) reluctantly leaves her daughter in the charge of her parents. Once she arrives in Poland, she lets go a little as she discovers more about her husband (Arthur Igual) and her herself. Elise Otzenberger’s dramedy breezes along and later hits us with some unexpectedly moving moments. It’s a find. Screenings: 6:10 p.m. Saturday at CineArts; 8:55 p.m. Tuesday at the Castro; 6:25 p.m. July 30 at Albany Twin; 11:45 a.m. Aug. 4 at Smith Rafael. “PICTURE OF HIS LIFE” » Amos Nachoum, an accomplished underwater photographer, confronts two of his life’s greatest fears: his tormented relationship with his father and his quest to swim with and photograph a polar bear. Dani Menkin and Yonatan Nir’s documentary fills in the blanks about what compels and haunts this celebrated man. The underwater sequences are gorgeous and gripping. If you loved “Free Solo,” you’ll enjoy this. Screenings: 6:30 p.m. July 25 at Albany Twin: 2:15 p.m. July 28 at the Castro; 4:15 p.m. Aug. 4 at Smith Rafael. “SAFE SPACES” » A creative writing professor (Justin Long in an outstanding performance) brings up blatantly inappropriate sexual comments in his class, making a student uncomfortable and triggering an internal review. At the same time, his witty grandmother is fending off death as his dysfunctional family grapples with a variety of issues. Director-screenwriter Daniel Schechter’s topical family comedy is funny, touching and thought-provoking, a confident feature that doesn’t need to wrap all situations up neatly. Screenings: 8:50 p.m. Saturday at the Castro; 6:10 p.m. Sunday at CineArts; 8:30 p.m. July 31 at Albany Twin; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Smith Rafael. “TEL AVIV ON FIRE” » A cheesy but popular soap opera undergoes major story changes, resulting in unexpected alliances, ambitions and attractions in this clever comedy. The soap, “Tel Aviv on Fire,” is a riot of ridiculous situations, stilted dialogue and overacting. Enter the unambitious nephew (Kais Nashif) of one of the show’s producers. Through a series of random circumstances, he becomes one of the show’s lead writers. But from where does he draw his inspiration? (My lips are sealed.) If you loved “The Death of Stalin,” you’ll eat up this charmer from Sameh Zoabi. Screenings: 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at CineArts; 6:10 p.m. July 25 at Castro; 6:25 p.m. July 26 at Albany Twin; 8:40 p.m. Aug. 3, at Smith Rafael.

Randy Myers is a freelance writer covering film.

SAN FRANCISCO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL Bobbi Salvor Menuez, left, and Nicholas Alexander play unlikely lovebirds in “Adam,” screening as part of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.

SAN FRANCISCO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL A writing professor (played by Justin Long, left) and his family go through a series of challenges in the comedy “Safe Spaces.”