I attended the first Geneva International Jewish Film Festival last week (23-27 March 2011). Based on the UK equivalent, founded by Judy Ironside, the selection of films was of an internationally high standard and in most instances the director or key actor was present to engage with the audience in discussion. Particularly moving was Inside Hanna’s Suitcase, the story of the journey of the curator of a small Holocaust education centre in Japan to discover the story of a suitcase left from the mass murder. Director Larry Weinstein enthralled an audience of schoolchildren who participated in a vigorous question-and-answer session after the showing. Also notable was the award-winning Czech film Protektor, set in German-occupied Prague of the Thirties. I had the good fortune to interview Jana Plodkova, whose performance as the Jewish wife of a radio presenter won her Best Actress in the Czech Film Academy Awards.
Another notable film was Precious Life, which tells the true story of the an Israeli doctor’s fight to save the life of Mohammed Abu Mustafa, a four-month-old Palestinian infant from Gaza who suffers from a genetic disorder in his immune system. This film was short-listed in the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Documentary. The doctor, Dr. Raz Somech, was present to answer questions.
Finally, an excellent film The Matchmaker directed by Israeli Avi Nesher, who was also present to answer questions about his film, ended an excellent filmic feast.
There were 17 films in all, of which I managed to get to see13! For a full listing of the films see the festival Homepage.
The Festival was a total sell-out, which augurs well for future events in what promises to be an annual series.
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