Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival Showcases Global Jewish Narratives

The Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival, now in its 31st year, is set to run from October 23 to November 2, 2023. This annual event aims to highlight both local and global Jewish narratives through a diverse selection of films. Most screenings will be held at the Minnesota Jewish Community Center’s Sabes Center in St. Louis Park and the Capp Center in St. Paul, with additional showings at venues such as the Riverview Theater, the Main Cinema, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Ticket information and showtimes can be accessed via tcjff.eventive.org.

This year’s festival features an impressive lineup of 47 films, encompassing a mix of fictional and documentary storytelling. Noteworthy entries include Minnesota-born filmmaker Joy Sela’s debut documentary, “The Other,” which addresses ongoing conflicts in Israel and Palestinian territories. Other highlights include a biopic about Brian Epstein, the gay Jewish manager of The Beatles, a contemporary Hungarian family drama titled “All About the Levkoviches,” and a documentary short featuring Grammy-nominated Ugandan Jewish singer Rachel Namadosi. A special block of horror shorts presented in Yiddish will also be featured on Halloween.

Local artists are prominently represented in the festival’s offerings. Among the films are Michael Greenberg’s short film “The Combination,” a documentary inspired by a play by Minnesota playwright Carson Kreitzer, and a preview of “Milkweed,” touted as the first feature-length animation produced in Minnesota, expected to be completed by 2027.

Joy Sela began working on “The Other” in 2017, initially not intending for it to become a documentary. Her project, which began as performance art aimed at fostering dialogue, evolved as she encountered a strong desire among individuals in Israel and Palestinian territories to share their stories. Through her nonprofit, she began collecting narratives that expanded her understanding of the complex landscape in which she was working.

Sela’s journey through Israel and the West Bank became a profound exploration of personal stories. The film features accounts from individuals like Ahmed Helou, who lost over 60 family members in Gaza, and Maoz Inon, who suffered the loss of both parents during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. These narratives highlight the resilience of individuals working to bridge divides despite their traumatic experiences.

Reflecting on her experiences, Sela noted the challenges of confronting her own biases shaped by her upbringing. “It took many years to confront the conditioning that comes from growing up on one of these sides,” she stated. The film showcases courageous individuals who, despite living under occupation or facing violence, choose the path of nonviolence and dialogue.

Sela continued filming through 2024, following up with her interview subjects in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that erupted on October 7, 2023. Since that date, the conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with the United Nations reporting approximately 67,000 Palestinian and around 1,200 Israeli deaths.

In light of this volatile environment, Sela emphasized the importance of building trust with her interview subjects, especially when asking vulnerable individuals, particularly Palestinian women, to share their stories on camera. “We just hope it’s a way to start rehumanizing the conversation and hopefully engaging people in ways we can be constructive together,” she remarked.

The Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival serves as a vital platform for these narratives, fostering understanding and dialogue through the power of film.