Chosen Film

To bring out the Jewish in January, the folks at the Film Society of
Lincoln Center and The Jewish Museum have chosen the best of the Chosen
to appear alongside eight films celebrating Jewish history and culture.
Shrug on your schmata and brush off your Yiddish to enjoy the 20th
anniversary of the New York Jewish Film Festival Jan. 13-24.

As with any Jewish gathering of a certain size, the Grammy
award-winning Klezmatics make an appearance with documentarian Erik
Greenberg Anjou to discuss the festival’s Jan. 13 opening night
screening of The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground. Alternatively, attend the
screening of The “Socalled” Movie (Jan. 22) to enjoy the fearless sound
of klezmar hip-hop artist Josh Dolgin and singer Katie Moore
post-screening.

Jan. 15 heralds the New York premier of Red Shirley, Lou Reed’s
adorably affectionate portrayal of his century-old unionist cousin. Reed
wrote original music for the film, and photographer Ralph Gibson will
be on hand to discuss the film. A restored print of Ján Kádar’s Academy
Award-nominated Lies My Father Told Me screens Jan. 16, and
post-screening, producer Harry Gulkin and actress Marilyn Lightstone
reminisce about the classic 1975 film. That night, Eve Annenberg brings
some mishegas to the Bard’s tale in Romeo and Juliet in Yiddish, and
director, cast and composer dissect the result.

George Marshall’s cinematic interpretation of Harry Houdini augments
the Jewish Museum’s exhibition Jan. 17. Following the film, Josh Rand
will attempt to rival the magician’s historic craft. Jewish Soldiers in
Blue and Gray, a groundbreaking documentary exposing Jewish Americans’
struggles during the Civil War, has its world premiere on Jan. 19,
followed by a discussion with director Jonathan Gruber and Brandeis
professor Dr. Jonathan Sarna. Whether it’s deadly romance (oy vey!) or
lively debate with a tribal filmmaker, January is for the Jews.