LEAD PIC from The Swimmer
After presenting mostly digital editions for the past two years the UK Jewish Film Festival will be returning to cinemas in London and across the nation, with screenings running from November 10 – 20, and with a selection of films available online from November 21 – 27.
Offering a crop of cinematic stories from around the world, the festival will highlight four titles at unique Gala screenings with special guests in attendance. In addition, the festival’s global outlook is represented by a full and diverse line-up across the European Film, Israeli Film, British Film and Americas Film programmes, along with additional in-depth programmes covering the Alan Howard International Documentary Strand, LGBTQ+ cinema and shorts.
LGBTQ+ FILM PROGRAMME
LGBTQ+ cinema is well represented with three films from Israel that tackle a diversity of issues. Concerned Citizen (Israel, 2022) is a sharp critique of an increasingly unequal society, which tells the story of a same-sex couple living in a migrant neighbourhood who begin to question their own liberal self-image after one of them witnesses an act of police brutality.
Director Adam Kalderon’s The Swimmer (Israel, 2021) is a bold exploration of male competitiveness and sexual desire set in the gruelling and hypermasculine world of the Israeli national swimming team.
The Therapy (UK premiere; Israel, 2021) is a thought-provoking documentary from Zvi Landsman which is a rare glimpse into this highly controversial and scientifically dubious practice of gay conversion therapy, and the impact it has on those who subscribe to it. This screening will be followed by a panel discussion covering the issues raised in the film.
The Rainbow Collection short film programme will also be screening as part of the LGBTQ+ strand. Expect inquisitive, funny and reflective LGBTQ+ voices from America and Israel: Bracha (Israel, 2022); Complicated (Israel, 2022); Half (UK premiere; USA, 2020); Mazel Tov (Israel, 2021).