Gilda Radner's documentary inaugurates a global and complex SF Jewish Film Festival

"Shalom Bollywood" highlights Indian Jewish women who were the stars of the first Bollywood films

"The Sign for Love" documents the journey of a gay Israeli man who becomes a parent with a woman . 19659002] "Sammy Davis, Jr .: I must be me" profiles a singer and dancer who was African American, Jewish and Puerto Rican.

These are just a few examples of how the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, which runs from Thursday, July 19 to August 5, in five cities in the Bay Area, and features films about people who look at the world through multiple goals. Eclectic films represent the festival's growing mission to celebrate the increasingly complex diversity of humanity, while reversing stereotypes and adding new perspectives. "Some people think of a Jewish film festival and immediately think of the Holocaust and Israeli films" Lebanon, executive director of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. "But SFJFF has always reflected the full scope and extent of the Jewish experience.Our films come from all over the world and reflect the complex identities within Jewish culture.

" Check-the-one-box identity is a thing of the past. As a culture, we recognize the multidimensional intersections that most people wear and want valued and respected. The most interesting films reflect this. "

The festival, which takes place in San Francisco, Oakland, Albany, San Rafael and Palo Alto, will open on Thursday, July 19, at the Castro Theater with" Love, Gilda ", about the comic icon and pioneering "Saturday Night Live" Gilda Radner The closing night will be the documentary Sammy Davis Jr.

Overall, 67 films from 22 countries will be presented, including the documentary "The Waldheim Waltz", a look Fascinating on how the Nazi allegations affected the Austrian presidency, election in 1986, and the next flagship film, "The Man Who Stole Banksy," a tale of street art and d & # 39; Capitalist excess that has its roots in the West Bank

As part of the effort to focus on the complexities of Jewish diversity, the festival will feature a series of films that are not Jewish, as such, but which are based on the Jewish value of tikkun olam who repairs the world by his actio ns

"We believe that it is important to present a work that has a special resonance for our audience, even if the content of a film does not fit. Is not Jewish, "said Jay Rosenblatt, director of festival programming. "Historically, Jews have been at the forefront of social justice movements." According to a recent Pew study, 56 percent of American Jews consider working for equality and justice as an essential part of what "Jew" means for them. "

Tikkun Olam's selections include" The End of Meat "meat consumption can reduce climate change," The Sentence ", on how mandatory minimum prison sentences affect mother and family, and "Netizens" on women trying to change laws in a battle against cyberbullying

As usual, the festival includes programs that are relevant to contemporary issues and conversations Harvey Weinstein's scandal, for example, resulted in a "Hands On / Hands Off" attack on badual badault that includes "Roll Red Roll," a captivating reenactment of the which a rape has affected the crazy football town of Steubenville, Ohio. Another example is the 1924 silent film "The City without Jews", which is timely given the current US immigration policies that target Mexican immigrants and Central American refugees.

Rosenblatt says that overall, it's a very strong year for the festival. the documentary category. He is pleased that the festival's Freedom of Expression Award will go to documentary filmmaker Liz Garbus, a multiple Oscar nominee who recently directed "The Fourth Estate," a captivating documentary on how the New York Times covers Trump White House and #MeToo

Rosenblatt and Lebanon both believe that the various films will create more awareness about the implicit prejudices – and help make the world a better and more tolerant place.

"What's exciting about this kind of diversity is that it … reminds us that you can not tell by looking at any of the intricacies that lie within," he said. Lebanon. "I hope this will bring us all to more compbadionate and respectful interactions and more interesting and intimate conversations."