Mabul (The Flood):
Opening the Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco this year is the dysfunctional family dramedy, Mabul (The Flood). While I believe the title refers to the story of Noah’s ark and its symbolic comparisons to the film’s central character, 13-year-old Yoni, it also could be referring to the final scene – one that will punch you square in the tear ducts. This will more than likely cause a stream, or flood if you will, of water to start trickling down your face. You have been warned.
This film’s power lies in its depth of revealing ones struggle when dealing with the downpour of physical and mental changes associated with the hell that is puberty. Again, relating it to the story of Noah and the flood, it is my belief that Noah was probably at a constant struggle while designing an innovative architectural boat to accommodate all those animals. My struggle was to figure out why a film I had so little emotional investment in throughout its duration could leave me treading in a sobby puddle of my own salt discharge. All in all, a sneakily powerful film!
Showtimes for Mabul (The Flood):
Thursday, July 21, 6:30pm – Castro Theatre
Sunday, July 31, 6:30pm – Roda Theatre (Berkeley)
Saturday, August 6, 4:20pm – Christopher B. Smith Rafael
Sunday, August 7, 6:15pm – Oshman Family JCC (Palo Alto)
1
00 Voices: A Journey Home:
This year’s Closing Night film, 100 Voices: A Journey Home, is a musical documentary focusing on the cantorial religious music of the Jewish people, its history, and those who sing it today. For those who don’t know, myself included prior to seeing this film, cantorial music can most easily be described as a more religious opera in Hebrew. Not only does this film feature various cantorial singers, each with their own unique story as to why they sing, but it also served as an informitive and eye-opening history lesson on Polish Jews.
I recently had a conversation with a fellow cinephile over whether or not a documentary on a musical group or musical genre to which you don’t care for can be good or not. Until I saw this film, I was of sound mind that even if Martin Scorsese was directing the film, it couldn’t be good if I just didn’t care for the music all that much. While I can’t say I’m going to run out and buy a cantorial album any time soon, I will admit that seeing the performances in this documentary did strike a chord somewhere deep within me – conjuring up the idea that I should give that Justin Bieber 3D documentary a chance after all. Okay, maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself there, but I think you get my point.
Showtimes for 100 Voices: A Journey Home:
Thursday, July 28, 8:15pm – Castro Theatre
Wednesday, August 3, 6:15pm – Oshman Family JCC (Palo Alto)
Tuesday, August 4, 6:40pm – Roda Theatre (Berkeley)
