BJF Film Club
We all love films, and we love talking about films with you, which is why Boston Jewish Film has launched the BJF Film Club so we can get together to talk about films!
For each Film Club meeting, we will share information on how to watch the film on your own beforehand. Most meetups are held in person at partner community spaces in the greater Boston area, along with occasional Virtual Film Club meetings added to the schedule. And, whether in-person or virtual, you can expect fun, insightful conversations with fellow BJF Film Club attendees during the event!
Light refreshments are served at in-person Film Club meetups, and registration is required to attend. However, we encourage attendees to bring along a friend!
2023 BJF Film Club Events
April 20, 7:30 PM at Congregation Kehillath Israel - Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen
Please join Boston Jewish Film for our first Film Club meetup to discuss Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen on Thursday, April 20th at 7:30 PM at Congregation Kehillath Israel, 384 Harvard Street Brookline, and be part of a fun and vibrant conversation led by Boston Jewish Film Artistic Director, Lisa Gossels.
Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen captures director Norman Jewison’s vision to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and reimagine Fiddler on the Roof, the beloved stage musical on the big screen.
Stream the film on Paramount+ or for free on Kanopy through your local library. You can also rent the film through Prime Video, Kino Now, or Vudu.
May 15, 7:30 PM at Congregation Kehillath Israel - Taking Sides
Please join Boston Jewish Film for our second BJF Film Club meetup to discuss the film Taking Sides on Monday, May 15 at 7:30 PM at Congregation Kehillath Israel (384 Harvard Street, Brookline) for a fun and vibrant conversation led by Boston Jewish Film Board President, Ken Shulman.
TAKING SIDES
Fiction, 2002, France/UK/Germany/Austria, 105 minutes
Director: István Szabó
Cast: Harvey Keitel, Stellan Skarsgård, Moritz Bleibtreu, Birgit Minichmayr
Based on a true story, Taking Sides focuses on the American-led investigation of Wilhelm Furtwangler (Stellan Skarsgård), one of Germany’s most renowned conductors, who was suspected of working with the Nazis. In the bombed-out Berlin of the immediate post-war period, Major Steve Arnold (Harvey Keitel) is charged with making an example of Furtwangler due to his status as a high-profile cultural figure in Germany, and Arnold pulls no punches in questioning him about possible ties to the Hitler regime.
HOW TO WATCH: Stream the film on Tubi or Prime Video.
Screen the film on your own before the meetup. Registration is required – the fee to attend is $3.00. Light refreshments will be provided at the event.
May 24, 7:00 PM - Gentleman’s Agreement (VIRTUAL)
Boston Jewish Film’s third BJF Film Club meetup will feature an online discussion of the film Gentleman’s Agreement on Wednesday, May 24, at 7:00 PM in Zoom for a fun virtual conversation led by Boston Jewish Film board member Alex Sagan. Alex holds a doctorate from Harvard University. His academic work focuses on the Holocaust and film history.
GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT
Fiction, 1947, US, 118 minutes
Director: Elia Kazan
Cast: Gregory Peck, Philip Schuyler Green, Dorothy McGuire, Kathy Lacy, John Garfield, Dave Goldman, Celeste Holm
A reporter (Gregory Peck) pretends to be Jewish to cover a story on antisemitism and personally discovers the true depths of bigotry and hatred.
HOW TO WATCH: Rent the film on Amazon, YouTube, or Google Play.
Screen the film on your own before the virtual meetup. This discussion will take place via Zoom. Registration is required – the fee to attend is $2.00. You will receive the link to join the Zoom conversation in your registration confirmation email.
June 6. 7:00 PM at Hebrew College - Walk on Water
Please join us for our next BJF Film Club meetup to discuss Walk on Water on Tuesday, June 6 at 7 PM at Hebrew College (located at Temple Reyim 1860 Washington St., Newton) for an exciting and lively conversation led by Boston Jewish Film Board Member, Barbara Resnek.
WALK ON WATER
Fiction, 2004, Israel/Sweden, 103 minutes
Director: Eytan Fox
Cast: Lior Ashkenazi, Knut Berger, Caroline Peters
Eyal (Lior Ashkenazi) is an agent in the Mossad. His wife has recently committed suicide, and the agency decides that he needs to take on a less challenging assignment: to find an aging Nazi war criminal.
Directed by Eytan Fox ( Sublet BJFF 2020, Yossi and Jagger BJFF 2004, Florentene BJFF 1998, Song of the Siren BJFF 1996) and nominated for 8 Ophir Awards, including Best Picture!
HOW TO WATCH: Stream the film on Kanopy, Plex, Tubi, and Prime Video.
Screen the film on your own before the meetup. Registration is required – the fee to attend is $3.00. Light refreshments will be provided at the event.
July 11 at Hebrew College
More details to come!
August 8 at Hebrew College
More details to come!
September 7 at Hebrew College
More details to come!
