In this article, we’re letting you know about the three multilingual films at JIFF where French is one of the languages showing this October to December.
Countries: Israel, Poland
Director: Barak Heymann
Languages: Hebrew, English, French, Italian, (English subs)
Israeli artist Dani Karavan, winner of the Israel Prize for Sculpture, has produced almost 100 environmental installations in countries around the world, championing peace over politics. His acclaimed work, however, is starting to deteriorate, and Karavan is determined to visit as many of his structures as he can, while being a thorn in the side of whoever will listen. Meanwhile, he must decide whether to complete a controversial commission for the Polish government commemorating those who rescued Jews during WWII. Karavan turns to scholars and friends to weigh in, including a charming rendezvous with filmmaker Wim Wenders.
This warm, witty and touching portrayal, completed before Karavan’s death in 2021, serves as an inspiring reminder of the artist’s legacy and impact.
The Art of Silence (L’art du silence)
Countries: Switzerland, Germany
Director: Maurizius Staerkle Drux
Languages: English, French, German, Sign language
While legendary pantomime Marcel Marceau entertained audiences on stages around the world, much of his tragic history and influence remains hidden off stage. In the first feature documentary about Marceau’s life, director Maurizius Staerkle Drux portrays the performer behind the painted mask as a deeply complex, sensitive and compassionate man whose art was rooted in experiences of WWII atrocities and his time in the French Resistance smuggling Jewish children across the border to safety. Expertly weaving testimony from family, friends and former protégées with exquisite cinematography and poetry, The Art of Silence is a must-see for fans of mime and Marceau.
Where Life Begins (Tu choisiras la vie)
Countries: France, Italy
Director: Stéphane Freiss
Languages: Italian, French (English subtitles)
Every summer the Zelniks, an ultra-Orthodox French family, come to a farm in Southern Italy to carry out a sacred mission: harvesting etrogs (citrons). Hosting the large family on his estate is Elio, an easy-going, non-devout Catholic who has been lost since his wife left him. In this balmy setting, Elio meets the intense and quick-tempered rabbi’s daughter Esther, who is trapped between affection for her family and the desire to emancipate herself from her Orthodox life. Through their growing relationship, Esther will understand the importance of finding her own path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkuATOW-xl0
KEY INFO FOR JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022
WHAT: Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF)
WHERE AND WHEN:
- Melbourne – Classic Cinemas and Lido Cinemas – 24 October – 27 November
- Sydney – Ritz Cinemas and Roseville Cinemas – 25 October – 28 November
- Canberra – Dendy Cinemas – 27 October – 6 November
- Hobart – State Cinema – 27 October – 6 November – NEW FOR 2022!
- Brisbane – New Farm Cinemas – 10 – 20 November
- Gold Coast – Dendy Southport – 17 – 27 November – NEW FOR 2022!
- Perth – Luna Palace Leederville – 24 November – 7 December
HOW:
Individual tickets can be purchased from the film’s page on the JIFF website
Festival passes can be purchased by the relevant links from this page
HOW MUCH:
Single ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult $24
- Concession $18.50
- 35 and younger $18.50 (can only be purchased at the cinema and with valid ID)
Opening Night event (includes food, drink and live music)
- Adult $39
- Concession $35
- Closing night event (includes drink on arrival)
- Adult $33
- Concession $29
Passes are also available for Elsternwick and Hawthorn in Melbourne and for Randwick in Sydney.
Pass type Price Price per film
10 Film Pass $175 / $170 earlybird $17.50 / $17
20 Film Pass $330 / $320 earlybird $16.50 / $16
JIFF VIP – Unlimited $645 / $620 earlybird –
Which multilingual films at JIFF will you see?
Now you know about the multilingual films at JIFF. Next week we’ll let you know about the films from the Francophonie that aren’t in French showing at JIFF this October through to December.
For more films, read the following articles:
Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is back for a second time this year!
Alliance Française 2020 French Film Festival films to stream/rent online
11 French movies from the 2019 Alliance Française French Film Festival to watch on SBS on Demand
7 French films from the AFFFF 2019 to watch for free at home
