The theme for the festival this year is “Jewish food, Jewish women, and Jewish humor.” Tonight’s animated feature is derived from a graphic novel, in which a talking cat argues with a rabbi about the absurd stories in his religious books. Comic artist Johan Sfar says the movie was a hit in France.
“The comic book was quite huge for some years, so it eased the process. We had 500,000 viewers in France, and it was a big release for 2D animation, for like classical animation.”
Film Festival coordinator Juliet Sheperd says her committee tried to show diversity in cultural outlook as well as emotional range.
“Jewish people make up much less than 1 percent of the entire world's population, right? And so many people just don't understand the layers of history and how intertwined and multifaceted it is. It's really easy to oversimplify. And so this helps. Give a little depth and more, more scope.
From the “borscht belt” of New England to Texas, northern Africa and Europe, Sheperd says the festival showcases a broad swath of different cultures in the Jewish diaspora.
The films are not rated, but are considered suitable for teens and older. All the movies this year will be screened at the Alaska Coffee Roasters café on Geist Road. Entry is by donation.
“We consume media in very rapid pace nowadays, and there's something about a film festival that allows you to come in and see a film with, in proximity to other people, and you have an experience.”
Next Thursday, the 13th, the festival features a live performance of the Almost a Minyan klezmer band at 5 p.m., before the movie screening. Later on in the Festival, Sunday the 16th, there will be two movies with food themes.
“The food is absolutely a vital component. Alaska Coffee Roasters works with us and actually makes food to complement our films. Deli food will be featured and then also really rich stews from North Africa, you know, Algiers and Tangier, Tunisia, and some of those areas are featured in our film. So, ACRC is, is providing tagine and some special treats that are specific to those areas.”
The details of the movies are on a festival website, and also on the Farthest North Jewish Film Festival’s Facebook page.
