by Dov Kornits
Responding to the experiences of Australia’s Jewish population following the horrific events of 7 October in Israel, distributor/producer Jump Street Films and their Jewish Australia Screen Fund, partnered with the Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) to help finance short films that will screen at this year’s JIFF on 26 October in Melbourne and 30 October in Sydney.
“We want this year’s applicants to offer an artistic response to the events we have lived through over the past 16 months, illuminating our shared experience in whatever shape or form this theme is interpreted,” said Jump Street’s Jamie Bialkower six months ago when calling for entries.
The four selected films and filmmakers are as follows:
MEZUZAH MAN
Director/Writer: Jacob Melamed
Cast: Josh Merten, Adi Ashur
After witnessing rising antisemitism, fiercely passionate Yossi takes it upon himself to reclaim his fearful community’s sense of pride. When his intentions are misinterpreted, he inadvertently triggers a chain reaction with deadly consequences.
CRUMBS
Director/Writer: Anita Lester
A beloved bakery provides the backdrop for a series of intimate vignettes over the course of a day. Tracing the intersections of tradition and identity, community and legacy, a snapshot of the collective Jewish experience is revealed.
SHPATZIR
Director/Writer: Benjamin Levitt
Co-Director: David McKinnar
A nameless man on his evening walk toys with the idea of going to his local synagogue. His need only increases over time, but he still can’t bring himself to do it. One day, he is finally ready to enter – but is he too far gone?
THE PROMISED LAND
Director: Adam Dostalek
Writer: Ron Elisha
Cast: Linal Haft, Alexis Fishman
A Holocaust survivor is visited by his young carer. Having fought for the State of Israel, he does everything in his power to convince her that it is her duty to make Aliyah [move to Israel]. The arrangements are finally made, until her world is turned upside down.
