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2025 Tisha B’av Film Series
Presented by Park East Synagogue’s Film Society
Regina Gil, Chairperson
Courtesy of Gold Coast Arts Center
Film Lineup:
Four Winters: A Story of Jewish Partisan Resistance and Bravery in WWII 2022 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 36m Shattering the myth of Jewish passivity, FOUR WINTERS features the true story of over 25,000 Jewish partisans who courageously fought back against the Nazis and their collaborators from deep within the forests of WWII’s Belarus, Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Torn from their families by the ravages of Hitler’s armies, men and women, many barely in their teens, escaped into the forests, banding together in partisan brigades; engaging in treacherous acts of sabotage, blowing up trains, burning electric stations, and attacking armed enemy headquarters. The last surviving partisans relive their journey in FOUR WINTERS, sharing their stories of resistance. Director Julia Mintz shines a spotlight on their transformation from young innocents raised in closely knit Jewish communities and families, to becoming fierce partisan soldiers with enduring hope, grit, magnificent courage and deep humanity. Featuring the photography of Faye Schulman, partisan photographer clad in her signature leopard coat, and through a fusion of inspiring and powerful first-person interviews with stunning archival footage, FOUR WINTERS uncovers secrets held for lifetimes, revealing a heartfelt narrative of heroism, determination and resilience. Awards: Human Rights Award, Hamptons Doc Fest |
October 8 2024 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 42m In this urgent and prescient documentary, Miami-based Emmy-winning filmmaker Wendy Sachs and Jewish-American actress Debra Messing explore the alarming rise of antisemitism and anti-Israel activism across the United States in the wake of the Hamas massacre on October 7. As Israel mourned the loss of over 1,200 lives and faced the abduction of 250 hostages, a surge of anti-Israel demonstrations swept through American cities and college campuses, often crossing into blatant antisemitism. The film unpacks how America reached this critical moment, where some view Hamas as freedom fighters instead of terrorists, and how social justice movements have aligned themselves with a violent and reactionary cause. With visceral footage, October 8 highlights the intensifying campus antisemitism and the growing challenges Jewish students face in asserting their identity. |
Avenue of the Giants 2023 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 40m Stephen Lang and Elsie Fisher star in a heartrending, Northern Californian-set cross-generational odyssey of healing and discovery, an extraordinary friendship blooms between an aging soul and a troubled girl, each bearing unspoken pains. For over 50 years, Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller (Stephen Lang), now a toy store owner, concealed his wartime memories even from his family. But as illness looms, he befriends Abbey (Elsie Fisher), a teen grappling with her own buried anguish, inspiring him to open up. By sharing their individual struggles, a path to mutual empathy unfolds, offering newfound purpose and solace. Heartfelt performances, traversing haunting historical flashbacks and the serene redwood forests, movingly capture the unbreakable human spirit, offering hope in dark times and unexpected places. Awards: Audience Award for Best Feature Film – San Diego Jewish Film Festival 2025 |