2025 Archives

A rare collaboration between Israeli Oscar-winner Guy Nattiv (Golda) and acclaimed Iranian actress-director Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Holy Spider), Tatami is a bold and gripping drama set during a single, high-stakes day at the World Judo Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia—where it was covertly filmed. The story follows Leila, an Iranian judo fighter, and her coach Maryam as they aim to secure Iran’s first gold medal. But just as Leila nears victory, a directive from the Iranian government demands she withdraw to avoid facing an Israeli opponent. Forced to choose between national loyalty and personal integrity, Leila confronts a harrowing ultimatum—with her freedom and family’s safety hanging in the balance. Tatami explores the deep personal cost of state oppression, blending political urgency with emotional power in a suspenseful, real-world story of courage, defiance, and the fight to be free.

Drama • Georgia/United States • 105 Minutes

Filmmaker Tom Shoval and producer Nancy Spielberg craft a personal cinematic letter to David Cunio, who was abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and was held hostage in Gaza until Oct. 13, 2025. Ten years ago, David and his twin brother Eitan starred in Shoval’s award-winning debut feature film Youth (Berlinale 2013), which focused on the powerful bond between brothers and, in a tragic and unimaginable twist of fate, revolved around a kidnapping. Through unedited behind-the-scenes footage and audition tapes from Youth, Shoval builds a multi-layered documentary that explores the inexplicable connections between life and cinema, memory and reality, and the catastrophic consequences of war.

Documentary • Israel/United States • 74 Minutes

Straightlaced David (Jesse Eisenberg) and his unpredictable cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a Jewish heritage tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. When tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history, the trip takes on an entirely new meaning. A poignant portrait of family and intergenerational trauma, A REAL PAIN has been hailed as one of the best films of the year, and won Culkin a Golden Globe award and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Shot in Lublin, Warsaw, Krasnystaw, Kraśnik, and Radom, writer-director Jesse Eisenberg, who is a dual American and Polish citizen, has called A REAL PAIN his “love letter to Poland.”

Drama • Poland/United States • 90 Minutes

In this meticulously crafted drama, a modern art appraiser with a sharp eye and an unflaggingly cool demeanor. One day André’s carefully curated and ordered life is unexpectedly disrupted when a provincial lawyer contacts him about a young working-class client who may have acquired a work of art long thought to be lost during World War II. With tempered expectations, André and his fickle assistant travel to the suburbs to meet Martin, a chemical plant worker, and appraise the artwork. Their skepticism quickly gives way to astonishment when they confirm that the painting is indeed authentic—an Egon Schiele masterpiece that vanished during World War II after being stolen by Nazi officials. This discovery could be the defining moment of André’s career, but it also raises profound questions about moral obligations and ethics in the high-stakes world of art, where money and power often reign supreme.

Drama • France • 91 Minutes

When a couple returns home for Shabbat dinner, an unexpected shadow looms over their night — an accidental death (or is it murder?) threatens to unravel the whole evening. Over the course of one night during this anything-but-typical New York City Shabbos, their family get-together takes a turn for the worse. Bad Shabbos takes the one-night-in-New-York story and spins from it a cast of characters, each more hilarious and specific than the next. Kyra Sedgwick stars as the neurotic matriarch and other familiar faces forge a brilliant ensemble that hits on pure comedic gold.

Comedy • United States • 94 Minutes

This tender observational drama follows an older couple's relationship as they navigate love, aging, and family obligations. Celebrated Israeli actors Sasson Gabai and Asi Levy costar as Sassi and Effi who, despite a large age gap and daily struggles—Sassi’s impotence and his son’s debts—maintain emotional balance rooted in humor and devotion. Their lives are shaken when two young men—a grandson returning from Europe and a former student of Effi’s—reopen old wounds and create new tensions. With Israeli Academy Award-nominated lead performances, director Shemi Zarhin's meditative examination of the human desire for bliss gains poignancy, as filming locations in northern Israel, including Zarhin's hometown, were ravaged in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Drama • Israel • 125 Minutes

In an era when the world is seeking leaders guided by integrity and purpose, Centered presents a compelling portrait of what can happen when leaders choose people over partisanship. The documentary takes an unflinching look at the often challenging and sometimes divisive decisions of Joe Lieberman, the first observant Jew to reach the highest level of American politics, offering a candid exploration of the resilience and principle it takes to lead with honor. Set against the backdrop of one of America’s most polarized periods, the film showcases Lieberman as a steady, centrist figure, steadfast in his convictions despite pressure from both political sides. Through rare archival footage and intimate interviews, audiences are given a closer look at his determination, his pursuit of unity, and his unwavering belief in a better future. More than a political biography, Centered is a timely reminder of the enduring value of collaboration and compromise

Documentary • United States • 77 Minutes

Born into a Jewish family in Pittsburgh, Charles Grodin lived a life that exemplified the values of Tikkun Olam, or “repairing the world.” This documentary not only highlights Grodin’s legendary comedic career, but also shines a light on his extraordinary, decades-long dedication to justice—working tirelessly to free wrongfully imprisoned individuals, many of them mothers of color with young children. Featuring interviews with friends and collaborators like Robert De Niro, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Elaine May, Carol Burnett, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Alan Arkin, Ellen Burstyn, Marc Maron, Lewis Black, Marlo Thomas, Jon Lovitz, and several of the women he helped liberate, the film offers a moving tribute to a man whose legacy reaches far beyond the screen.

Documentary • United States • 92 Minutes

On January 15, 2022, a quiet Saturday morning at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, turned into a gripping 11-hour hostage crisis. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three others were held captive as the synagogue’s live stream continued, drawing over 4,000 viewers. With global media coverage, more than 200 law enforcement officers, 70 FBI negotiators, and messages from leaders like President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the unfolding events felt like a real-life thriller. Using phone recordings, livestream footage, and firsthand accounts, this film captures the tension and courage of that day—ultimately revealing how light can emerge in even the darkest of times.

Documentary • Israel/United States • 80 Minutes

Israel’s official entry for the Academy Awards, Come Closer is a powerful story of grief, love, and self-discovery. After the sudden death of her younger brother, Eden finds herself drawn into his hidden past—uncovering a secret girlfriend and embarking on a journey of obsession and healing. Featuring a breakout performance by Lia Elalouf and award-winning direction by Tom Nesher (daughter of legendary Israeli director Avi Nesher), the film combines striking visuals and a haunting score to explore how love can both wound and heal. Inspired by Nesher’s own personal loss, Come Closer has earned international acclaim for its raw emotion and unforgettable storytelling.

Drama • Israel/Italy • 107 Minutes

Diane Warren is the hit songwriter you’ve likely never heard of—but you’ve definitely heard her songs. From Cher to Beyoncé, her work has powered some of the biggest voices in pop music. Raised in Van Nuys by a middle-class Jewish family, Warren always felt like an outsider. Music became her refuge, and her relentless drive to write the perfect song launched her to the top of the industry, earning 15 Oscar nominations. Featuring interviews with stars like Cher and Quincy Jones, this revealing documentary offers an intimate look at the woman behind the hits.

Documentary • United States • 91 Minutes

Set against the Baltic Sea in 1923, this moving drama offers a deeply human portrait of Franz Kafka’s final year, shaped not by alienation, but by love and connection. Struggling with illness and an overbearing family, Kafka (Sabin Tambrea) meets Dora Diamant (Henriette Confurius), a spirited young woman working at a Jewish community center. Their unexpected romance becomes a profound partnership, rooted in shared values and Jewish identity, guiding them from Berlin to an Austrian sanatorium as Kafka faces the end of his life with peace and dignity. Adapted from Michael Kumpfmüller’s acclaimed novel, the film offers a rare glimpse into the lesser-known, tender side of Kafka. With richly textured performances and evocative visuals, it honors not only a literary legend, but also the redemptive power of love, community, and spiritual continuity in the face of loss.

Drama/Romance • Germany/Austria • 98 Minutes

Sarah, a devoted nurse at a well-baby clinic in Haifa, spends her days caring for infants—but longs for a child of her own. Despite years of fertility treatments, her dream remains unfulfilled. When Anya, a young mother in distress, arrives with her baby, Sarah steps in to help, forming a deep bond with Anya and her daughter, Eden. As their connection grows, it becomes a healing force for Sarah’s emptiness, and it seems each woman may offer the other exactly what she needs: a home for one, and a child for the other. Nominated for five Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Film, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress.

Drama • Israel • 102 Minutes

From Turn Left at the End of the World to The Monkey House, Avi Nesher has shaped Israeli cinema for over five decades. At just 24, Nesher directed The Troupe, later hailed by Haaretz as the greatest Israeli film of all time. Now, after 20 films and decades of acclaim, he steps in front of the camera. His Own Way explores the essence of Nesher’s storytelling—deeply personal yet never strictly autobiographical—as it traces his unique blend of drama, comedy, and musical genres, and his enduring connection to Israel’s cultural landscape.

Documentary • Israel • 118 Minutes

JewCE: The Jewish Comics Experience is a vibrant journey through 100 years of Jewish contributions to cartoons, comics, and graphic novels. From the birth of iconic superheroes in the 1930s to contemporary graphic novels exploring Jewish life across the globe, the exhibit highlights everything from political satire and immigrant tales to female creators and DC-area fandom. Featuring original art, rare comics, and historical artifacts, the experience wraps up with an interactive space where visitors can read, create, and strike a superhero pose.

Documentary • United States • 23 Minutes

Endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic, Matchmaking is a Romeo and Juliet-like saga (minus the tragedy!) of two young, eligible ultra-Orthodox singles looking for a match. Moti spots Nechama, his sister’s friend, and is instantly smitten, but isn’t allowed to date the charming, beautiful young woman because she doesn’t come from an Ashkenazi family like his own, but rather comes from a Mizrahi family. Moti is sent on a whirlwind of dates with beautiful girls in the Orthodox community, but against everything he knows, he finds he must pursue his one true love, Nechama. A joyous tale about tolerance and love, Matchmaking is Israel’s biggest box office hit of the year and is full of charm and humor.

Romantic Comedy • Israel • 98 Minutes

Step into the world of love, laughter, and a touch of mischief with Israel’s biggest box office hit of the year, Matchmaking 2, the long-awaited sequel to Erez Tadmor’s beloved 2022 romance that took the world by storm. Full of joy, warmth, and the ultimate romantic entanglements, this refreshing and feel-good romantic drama returns to the charming world of Orthodox Jewish dating, telling a heartfelt and humorous tale of tradition, family, and finding love in the most unexpected places.

Romantic Comedy • Israel • 100 Minutes

In a quiet South American village in 1960, Holocaust survivor Marek Polsky leads a reclusive life—until a mysterious, German-speaking neighbor moves in next door. The man, eerily similar to Adolf Hitler, stirs Polsky’s suspicions, especially with his German shepherd, temper, and fondness for painting. With no one taking him seriously, Polsky embarks on a risky mission to uncover the truth. Blending dark comedy with suspense, My Neighbor Adolf follows a tense, oddly touching game of cat-and-mouse between two unlikely foes. David Hayman and Udo Kier deliver unforgettable performances in this sharp, surprising tale of paranoia and survival.

Comedy/Drama • Israel/Poland/Colombia • 96 Minutes

Neither Day Nor Night follows a Sephardic French family living in Bnei Brak’s deeply Ashkenazi religious community. As young Rafael prepares for his bar mitzvah and critical yeshiva entrance exams, he faces a painful reality—his heritage may bar him from the very institutions his talent deserves. At the heart of the story is a growing conflict between Rafael’s father, Shmuel, and the head of his Torah school, setting off a chain of events with tragic consequences in this poignant exploration of identity, tradition, and exclusion.

Drama • Israel • 90 Minutes

Never Alone tells the gripping true story of Finnish businessman Abraham Stiller, who risked everything to protect Jewish refugees during World War II. As Nazi influence spreads and deportations to Auschwitz loom, Stiller fights to save lives in a Finland precariously allied with Germany. Based on real events, the film sheds light on a little-known chapter of Holocaust history and explores the moral courage required to stand up against injustice. A powerful tribute to resilience, resistance, and the human spirit.

Drama • Finland • 85 Minutes

The New Jew: Days of War follows Israeli comedian Guri Alfi as he journeys through the American Jewish experience in the wake of October 7th. Through powerful personal stories—from families of hostages to young Jews navigating rising antisemitism and generational tensions around Israel—the film explores how this crisis has reshaped Jewish identity, safety, and belonging in the U.S. Blending empathy with his signature humor, Alfi brings humanity and accessibility to difficult topics, capturing both pain and resilience. A follow-up to the acclaimed 2021 series The New Jew, this timely documentary offers a heartfelt look at a community searching for unity and hope in uncertain times.

Documentary • Israel/United States • 92 Minutes

October 8 offers a look at the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses, social media and in the streets of America beginning the day after the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas. Through meticulous investigation, the film also uncovers how over decades, Hamas created sophisticated networks in America to permeate U.S. institutions and examines the tsunami of online antisemitism, propaganda, and disinformation unleashed by Iran, China and Russia – with the sole purpose of dividing American society.

Documentary • United States • 100 Minutes

This acclaimed documentary offers a powerful and deeply human look at the complex relationships between Israelis and Palestinians. Set against the backdrop of decades of conflict and occupation, it follows individuals from both sides who bravely choose to meet face-to-face—often for the first time—with those they’ve been taught to see as adversaries. Through these intimate encounters and emotional conversations, a transformative journey unfolds, revealing unexpected connections, shared humanity, and the universal threads of identity, culture, pain, and resilience. The film challenges viewers to reconsider what it means to truly see one another and highlights the extraordinary potential for healing and understanding when people are willing to move beyond fear and mistrust. Ultimately, it stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the hope that even in the most divided circumstances, empathy and change are still possible.

Documentary • United States • 104 Minutes

In Pink Lady, Bati (Nur Fibak) lives a quiet life with her husband and children in an ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem community—until their world unravels when her husband Lazer (Uri Blufarb) is blackmailed by a gang enforcing strict religious norms. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Nir Bergman (Broken Wings, Here We Are), this intimate and suspenseful drama follows a couple fighting to save their marriage and themselves. Inspired by screenwriter Mindi Ehrlich’s own experiences, the film offers a bold, female perspective on love, repression, and resilience within a cloistered world.

Drama • Israel/Italy • 106 Minutes

In this heartfelt adaptation of Rutu Modan’s award-winning graphic novel, a grieving Israeli grandmother and her curious granddaughter travel to wintry Warsaw to reclaim property lost during the Holocaust. Still mourning the recent death of her son, the strong-willed Regina (Rivka Michaeli) carries the emotional burden of the journey, while Mika (Sharon Strimban) is eager to uncover their family’s hidden past. Along the way, Mika forms an unexpected bond with a Polish tour guide (Piotr Pacek), and Regina reconnects with a long-lost love (Andrzej Seweryn). What begins as a legal mission evolves into a moving exploration of memory, identity, and healing. Directed by Dana Modan and nominated for four Israeli Academy Awards, Property is a tender story of intergenerational connection and rediscovery.

Drama • Israel/Poland • 108 Minutes

The Ring is a heartwarming dramedy about three generations bound by love, memory, and a powerful family legend. Arnon Noble, a devout man devoted to his Holocaust-survivor mother, accompanies her to schools where she shares how a thin gold ring saved both their lives. When her health declines, Arnon sets off to her hometown of Budapest in search of the fabled ring—and invites his estranged daughter, a TV researcher, to join him. As they retrace the past together, the journey becomes more than a quest for an object—it’s a chance to heal old wounds and rebuild a broken bond. Inspired by Adir Miller’s family story, The Ring is a moving exploration of legacy, reconciliation, and the ties that endure across generations.

Drama • Israel • 120 Minutes

Soul of a Nation is a powerful and timely documentary capturing Israel’s most critical moment in recent history. In the aftermath of the devastating October 7 attack—the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust—the nation faced deep internal divisions and existential threats. Yet from this crisis emerged an unprecedented wave of unity and resilience, as Israelis came together in a profound show of solidarity. Eye-opening and deeply moving, the film offers an inspiring portrait of a country transformed in the face of tragedy.

Documentary • United States • 105 Minutes

Intense siege drama based on actual events.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, The Stronghold delivers a powerful and intimate portrayal of Israeli soldiers during one of the nation’s most pivotal battles. Set at an IDF outpost on the Suez Canal, the film follows 42 soldiers under siege, as a young lieutenant and an army doctor face a life-or-death decision. With standout performances by beloved Israeli actors like Michael Aloni and Ohad Knoller, this gripping war drama is both a cinematic tribute to the fallen and a poignant reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and humanity that define Israel’s collective memory and resilience.

Drama • Israel • 113 Minutes

Told with striking visuals and rich historical detail, Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival explores the remarkable life of one of the 20th century’s most daring and glamorous artists. From her meteoric rise in 1920s Paris to her escape from fascist Europe in 1940 and her later revival in today’s art world, the film follows de Lempicka’s unyielding pursuit of artistic freedom. Known for her bold Art Deco portraits and provocative lifestyle, Tamara was far more than the scandal and allure that surrounded her—she was a bisexual Jewish émigrée who reinvented herself time and again. Drawing from newly discovered archival footage and personal documents that reveal her true name and background for the first time, this documentary reframes her legacy and uncovers the woman behind the icon—fierce, fearless, and ahead of her time.

Documentary • United States • 96 Minutes

In the late 1960s, a group of Indian families arrives in Israel, dreaming of opportunity and modern life. Instead, they are relocated to a remote desert settlement populated largely by Moroccan Jews. Cultural tensions and mutual misunderstandings quickly emerge as the newcomers struggle to adapt to harsh realities and forge a place in this unfamiliar world. Amid the friction, a tender romance blossoms between two teenage girls from opposite sides of the divide, offering a glimmer of hope and connection. Blending humor with heartfelt emotion, Turn Left at the End of the World captures a powerful moment of cultural collision and resilience. Celebrated as a “New Israeli Classic,” the film was honored with a special 20th anniversary screening and digital restoration at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque in October 2024.

Drama • Israel • 108 Minutes

Set in the vibrant world of 1960s London, this stylish musical biopic follows Brian Epstein, the visionary Jewish manager known as the “fifth Beatle.” As he drives The Beatles’ rise from Liverpool clubs to global fame, Epstein battles the pressures of fame, social expectations, and his own hidden identity as a closeted gay man.This visually rich, emotionally layered film captures both the cultural impact Epstein made—and the personal cost he paid.

Drama • United Kingdom • 112 Minutes