Louisville Jewish Film Festival

The Louisville Jewish Film Festival begins February 16, 2008. Here's the lineup so you can scope out all the films and plan your schedule accordingly. Tickets for all of the films are $8 with the exception of the special screening of The Rape of Europa event at the Speed Museum on February 23. Tickets for that event are $45.

Feb. 16 • 7:30 PM     Village 8 
The Black Book 
A Dutch World War II thriller about singer Rachel Stein who pretends to be a Gentile in order to help the resistance. She has been in hiding for years, but is sent on the run and is forced into one morally compromising position after another. Netherlands

Feb. 18 • 7:00 PM     JCC
Saved by Deportation 
In 1940 Stalin ordered the deportation of 200,000 Polish Jews to labor settlements in the Soviet interior. This story of survival retraces the path Asher and Schifra Sharf traveled to Siberia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Co-produced by Louisville native, Robert Podgursky, who will speak at film reception. USA

Feb. 19 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
Comme t'y es belle! 
A huge hit in France, this ''Sex in the City''-style romantic comedy features a cast of Jewish women and the ups and downs of their messy love lives, motherhood, and careers. France 

Feb. 20 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
What a Wonderful Place 
Israel's 2005 Oscar entry examines the difficulties foreign workers experience in Israel. Thai laborers, human traffickers, a Filipino couple, a depressed old man, and a ex-cop share the need for human dignity and contact. Israel 

Feb. 21 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
Jellyfish 
An ensemble comedy-drama, Jellyfish weaves together concurrent stories of loneliness and the attempts to connect with one another. Winner of the Cannes and Israeli awards for best film by directors. Israel

SPEED ART MUSEUM GALA • Feb. 23 • 7:30 PM
The Rape of Europa 
A fabulous evening featuring hors d'oeuvres by the Bristol Café and the premier of the award-winning film Rape of Europa. This film tells the story of the theft, destruction and miraculous survival of Europe's art treasures during World War II. A staff member of the Speed will discuss the elaborate research done on their collection to ensure that none is stolen property. Seating is limited - $45 per person. USA

More info from the Speed Museum on this event: "The Rape of Europa tells the epic story of the systematic theft, deliberate destruction and miraculous survival of Europe's art treasures during the Third Reich and the Second World War.Joan Allen narrates this breathtaking chronicle about the battle over the very survival of centuries of western culture. Kim Spence, Associate Curator at The Speed Art Museum, will discuss the museum profession's ongoing attempts to return looted artwork to its rightful owners and the Speed's research on its own collection"

Feb. 24 • 4:00 PM     JCC
The First Basket 
Documentary on the impact of American basketball by Jewish immigrants and their importance in shaping modern basketball and their notable success from the 1920's to early 1950's. Newsreel footage of the first basket and first game in NBA history is shown. USA

Feb. 25 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
The Tribe 
This short film is a brilliant, irreverent and buoyant film about an icon of American culture, the Barbie doll, and its creator, a Jewish woman. USA 

Mauvaise Foi 
A comedy about a Jewish woman who falls in love with an Arab pianist and the reactions they encounter from their family and friends when they decide to marry. France

For tickets: 459-0660
$8 • ADULTS    $6 • STUDENTS