Jewish Film Festival

THIS IS MY MOTHER

Sunday, March 22, 7:00 PM

Discussion Leader: Jewish Family Services

| 2024 | 105 min. | French (w/subtitles) | France

Pierre, a 33-year-old florist with a flourishing business and a promising romance, is living his best life. But who knew his world would be flipped upside down when his mother, Judith, suddenly pops back into the picture after years apart? Fresh out of a residential treatment program for bipolar disorder and ready to spice things up, Judith arrives with a whirlwind of excitement and unpredictability! As Pierre tries to navigate his mother back to her clinic in hopes of restoring his calm routine, their journey takes a wild detour. Along the way, they uncover a treasure trove of shared memories, clash over their differing views on life, and surprisingly find their bond deepening through it all. This unexpected reunion forces Pierre to see his mother—and their  relationship—in a whole new light. With a little help from his new love, Pierre opens his heart and mind to reintegrating Judith into his life. Packed with stellar   performances, witty dialogue, and a genuine exploration of mental health within the family, “This Is My Mother” is a heartfelt celebration of the messy, beautiful love between a mother and her child. Get ready for a ride that’s enlightening and extremely entertaining! Director: Julien Carpentier

999: THE FORGOTTEN GIRLS

Sunday, April 26, 7:00 PM

Discussion Leader: Professor Stephen Berk

| 2024 | 105 min. | French (w/subtitles) | France

Discover the haunting tale of "999: The Forgotten Girls of the Holocaust," a poignant exploration of 999 young, unmarried Jewish women who were initially believed to be heading for work in a government shoe factory, only to face the grim reality of Auschwitz. Who were these brave souls? What set them apart? How did a select few manage to endure the harrowing years within the death camps? At 94, survivor Edith Grosman - #1970 - along with others, comes forward to share the hidden truths of this overlooked chapter in women’s history, marking the First Official Jewish Transport to Auschwitz. Heather Dune Macadam, the visionary director and acclaimed author of the international bestseller, "999-The Young Women of the First Official   Jewish Transport to Auschwitz," has painstakingly sifted through family and government archives to unveil groundbreaking research that brings this untold narrative to light. From a distinctively female viewpoint, this compelling story of resilience and sisterhood raises an unsettling question: why were young women the first targets?  Directed by Heather Dune Macadam & Beatriz M.Calleja

"999: The Forgotten Girls" has received the Audience Award for Best Documentary Film at the Miami Jewish Film Festival.