The Washington Jewish Film Festival is back from May 17th to May 28th with a brand new lineup of films, special events, and filmmaker guests including industry titans Amy Heckerling (Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam), and Agnieszka Holland (Europa Europa, In Darkness). Check out the top five event picks from this year’s Festival!
As If, A Clueless Night!
Dress to the nine(ties), and join the WJFF and EntryPoint DC for trivia, photo booths, specialty cocktails, and a rockin’ 90s soundtrack followed by a screening of cult classic Clueless! Stay after the film for a special Q&A with legendary filmmaker Amy Heckerling. For more, click here.
2 Jews Walk into a Bar (and a Deli)
The WJFF’s cinematic bar crawl comes to Chinatown! This year’s stops include On Rye and Bar Deco, paired with their Walk a Mile in My Shoes short films program. Drinks + Food +Movies + Friends = Win.
People That Are Not Me
Heralded as the Israeli answer to Girls and Frances Ha, Hadas Ben Aroya’s debut feature is a tour-de-force that tackles modern romance in all of its technological confusion, forced aloofness, and loveless sexuality.
Doing Jewish: A Story from Ghana
When Gabrielle Zilkha gets a call from her mother telling her that she’s found Jewish people to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with, Zilkha sets off to find the tiny but vibrant Sefwi Jewish community. Filmed over five years, Zilkha observes this small African Jewish community, offering a fascinating investigation of identity and connection.
Doing Jewish: A Story From Ghana (Official Trailer) from Gabrielle Zilkha on Vimeo.
Family Commitments
After two years of dating, David pops the question, and Khaled’s answer is unequivocally, “Yes!” Tying the knot proves challenging however, courtesy of a homophobic Arab father and a pseudo-orthodox, overbearing Jewish mother. Catch this German comedy as part of the Festival’s Rated LGBTQ series.
Honorable mentions include the quirky, upbeat Dutch comedy Moos; Israeli Scifi comedy OMG, I’m a Robot; and French thriller Thank You for Calling, inspired by the true story of con-man Gilbert Chikli. To see the full lineup of over 130 events taking place during the 27th Festival, visit WJFF.ORG.
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