The 18th annual Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival, running Wednesday, Jan. 10, through Sunday, Jan. 14, will again highlight the diversity of the Jewish experience through film.
"It will educate, entertain, and inspire you, our audience, with films that deal with universal issues as they relate to Jewish traditions, challenges and characters. Our festival also showcases Baton Rouge as a progressive, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community," the festival's website says. "This year’s festival includes award-winning dramas and documentaries that will keep you highly entertained."
The festival schedule, with four screenings at the Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St., features:
- "Remembering Gene Wilder": 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10
"With his exceptional talent, Wilder brought to life an array of quirky and lovable characters on the screen. He notably collaborated with director Mel Brooks on films like 'The Producers' and 'Blazing Saddles,' earning him recognition and Academy Award nominations for his acting and writing. Wilder’s iconic portrayals of Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' and Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in 'Young Frankenstein' continue to captivate audiences." 92 mins.; all ages.
- "Closed Circuit": 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11
"An assemblage of footage taken from various security cameras on June 8, 2016, when two men opened fire at a popular café in Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market and took the lives of four victims, form the basis of this chilling documentary. Produced by Nancy Spielberg ('Who Will Write Our History'), 'Closed Circuit' deconstructs the events of one fateful night and examines the closed circuit of trauma shared by the victims." 53 min; parental guidance suggested for children under 13
- "Not Quite Kosher": 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13
"To save the once-largest Jewish community in the world from being shut down, Ben, an ultra Orthodox Brooklyn Jew, is sent to Alexandria, Egypt to be the desperately needed 10th man for Passover. Having missed his plane and been kicked off the bus in the Sinai Desert, his last hope is Adel, a grumpy Bedouin looking for his camel. When their car breaks down, it becomes a matter of their very survival." 2 hrs.; Parental guidance suggested for children under 13
- "Vishniac": 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14
"Roman Vishniac is best known for having traversed Eastern Europe from 1935-38 to photograph Jewish life in Eastern Europe. The purpose of the photographs was to raise funds for impoverished Jewish communities. Few predicted that less than a decade later, these communities would be wiped out, and that Vishniac’s photographs would provide the last visual records of an entire world. No less important than his contribution as an artist, Vishniac was an avid scientist and made considerable contributions in the field of microscopic photography." 90 mins.; all ages
Film synopses were provided by the festival. Single tickets are $14.50 at manshiptheatre.org.