Exploring Global Influence and Identity at New York Jewish Film Festival ‘26

By Roger Costa

MAZEL TOV

In this hysterically funny comedy, a New Yorker returns to his hometown of Buenos Aires for his father’s funeral and faces conflicts among his siblings, including a very pregnant younger sister whose dilemma is whether to marry or not, due to their unexpected grieving situation. Impeccably performed and tender, Argentinian filmmaker Adrián Suar’s family examination is a hilarious and crowd-pleasing story of reconciliation. (Screens on January 15^th and 17^th).

ORNA AND ELLA

In this intimate feminist portrait, two very dedicated friends are running a passion business together, a restaurant which represents the bridge between past and future, a familial place serving as a cultural movement, part of a history written on flavors, relationships and sensations. Award-winning documentarian Tomer Heymann (who worked at the restaurant before becoming a successful filmmaker) deeply explores the strong bond between these women and their partnership, going back and forth in time through archival footage to tell how, after 26 years of a successful business, they decided to close that chapter in their lives and simply moved on. Following the anxiety, rush and sense of accomplishment on the preparations for their final open-to-the-public dinner, the film uses the restaurant as a landmark to rapidly address the late 90’s transformations of Tel Aviv, its neighborhoods, the gastronomy culture, the feminist influence and the rise of a modern queer movement. (Screens January 25^th and 27^th).

ONCE UPON MY MOTHER

A heartwarming tale of unconditional mother love, perseverance, faith and bravery, director Ken Scott’s adaptation of an autobiographical novel by French writer and radio personality Roland Perez is a miracle of a film, literally. Anchored by a powerhouse performance by Algerian actress Leïla Bekhti, it follows the pursuit of a determined mother for a cure for her son’s disability, filled of precise emotion and lovely music by the muse Sylvie Vartan. (Screens January 15^th).

MAINTENANCE ARTIST

An upbeat and unique experience, Toby Perl Freilich’s vibrant documentary is a tribute to the avantgarde work of pioneering artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles and her important role as a New Yorker and as a global influential creative force. Her contribution to the city as the first artist-in-residence at the NYC Sanitation Department is seen as revolutionary and groundbreaking. Featuring deeply nostalgic testimonies of the artist while revisiting priceless moments of her creative process, archival footage revealing how her unconventional art impacted the city and the world, both the Sanitation department’s workers and the local communities, the film is visually entrancing, transparent and original, as unique as the artist herself. (Screens on January 19th).

THE FIRST LADY

Filmmakers Udi Nir and Sagi Bornstein’s poignant and timely documentary reveals the history of repression and discrimination against transgenders in Israel, while channeling the drama of Efrat Tilma, a transgender woman who fled Israel in the 60’s after a traumatic incident with the police. Decades later, she returned home only to face more of the same trauma, but now armed with courage enough to defend her rights and the cause she believes in. She gave voice and representation to the Trans community by becoming the first volunteer in the country’s Police Force and eventually emerging as the pioneer in queer activism. Sensitive and inspirational, touching base on human rights and the violation of such, the film patiently listens to Tilma’s intriguingly inspirational story with empathy and urgency. (Screens January 20^th).

FRONTIER

Based on a triumphant real-life story of solidarity and compassion, this tense and unpredictable Spanish thriller depicts the courageous actions of a community on the border of France and Spain that managed to hide and save a group of Jews escaping from the horrors of Nazism and unable to find asylum in 1943. Director Judith Colell’s suspenseful drama is a resonant portrait of heroism and humanism. (Screens January 21^st and 27^th).

FANTASY LIFE

Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature at SXSW, Matthew Shear’s directorial debut is a delightful and meditative existential-crisis comedy exploring the healing bond between a hopeless mother and her three daughters’ nanny. Amanda Peet gives a top-notch performance as the protagonist in a highly emotional role that earned her the Best Actress Award at SXSW as well. Rounding out the fabulously fun cast are Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Andrea Martin, Bob Balaban, Jessica Harper and Zosia Mamet.

(Screens January 28^th).

(The 35^th NYJFF is presented by Film at Lincoln Center and The Jewish Museum. It runs January 14^th through 28^th with most filmmakers in person for Q&A’s following the screenings. Go to https://www.filmlinc.org/festivals/new-york-jewish-film-festival/?tab=films for tickets and full schedule).