The 19th UK Jewish Film Festival November 7th – 22nd, 2015 by Joanna Orland The UK Jewish Film Festival returned for its 19th year.  Showcasing an array of important Jewish films, the programme featured an array of upcoming and notable talent, as well as subject matter highly relevant to Jewish culture.  While some of the […]

Directed by Michael Almereyda Starring Peter Sarsgaard and Winona Ryder by Joanna Orland The subject matter of Experimenter is fascinating.  The film is an utter mess. Somehow this biopic of acclaimed Jewish psychologist Stanley Milgram is getting positive reviews, with some critics even declaring it as a smart, stylized biopic worthy of its subject.  Sure, […]

Directed by Adam Salky Starring Sarah Silverman, Josh Charles and Thomas Sadoski by Joanna Orland Fans of Sarah Silverman may be surprised to see the usually hilarious comedian taking a dark dramatic turn in I Smile Back.  As wife and mother of two, Laney (Silverman) has a superficially picture-perfect life while underneath the front she […]

by Joanna Orland with Ella Fitzsimmons The UK Jewish Film Festival is dedicated to bringing to the UK the best world cinema that focuses on Jewish life, history and culture.  The annual festival features an array of screenings and events including UK premieres, older classics, guest lectures, history walks and panel sessions.  This year’s 17th […]

Cupcakes Directed by Eytan Fox Starring Dana Ivgy, Efrat Dor, Ofer Shechter, Yael Bar-Zohar, Anat Waxman and Keren Berger In UK Cinemas April 25th, 2014 For its closing night gala, the UK Jewish Film Festival selected the Israeli-French film Cupcakes, directed by Eytan Fox.  After digesting this film, I feel like I have personally eaten […]

Arnold Brown Introduces And Why Not? by Ella Fitzsimmons As Arnold Brown, alternative comedy legend and man trying to get funding for his movie would probably agree, stereotypes about Jews are funny because they’re true. I should have known. The Soho Theatre used to be a synagogue, and his gig was done under the auspices […]

Blumenthal Directed by Seth Fisher Starring Seth Fisher, Brian Cox, Mark Blum, Laila Robins by Joanna Orland Harold Blumenthal, a revered New York playright, has passed away after having a heart attack while laughing at his own joke.  His surviving brother Saul is jealous and resentful of Harold and the anger he feels has manifested […]

Le métis de Dieu (The Jewish Cardinal) Opening Night Gala Directed by Ilan Duran Cohen Starring Laurent Lucas, Aurélien Recoing and Audrey Dana The Jewish Cardinal is a historical drama which depicts the true story of the Jewish born head of the French Church, Jean-Marie Lustiger.  It tells the trials and tribulations of his personal […]

by Ella Fitzsimmons The launch of the 17th UK Jewish Film Festival began, as many gatherings of G-D’s Chosen people, with a discussion over the relative quality of the bagels being served. And no, that is not an ethnic stereotype, that is the truth. (With a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, I’m technically allowed […]

The UK Jewish Film Festival will be launching in London on October 30th at the BFI Southbank with the UK Premiere of The Jewish Cardinal.  There will be an exciting array of films and events until the closing night on November 17th with the closing night gala of Cupcakes!  The film, not the food. For […]