27th SEATTLE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL March 24 - April 10th, 2022 Eclectic Arts
March 24th through April 10th, 2022
Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 3/28/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
“Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen” is a wonderful documentary with plenty of interview footage from both film director Norman Jewison and film composer John Williams.
Being a musician myself and someone that loves cinema, it was really eye opening hearing about the details that both Norman and John looked at to make the musical work as a film. There were many things I never even considered that I will now look at with a keen eye for any other musical adaptation for the big screen.
The documentary features interviews with cast members from the film and the entire documentary is thoroughly fascinating. Whether you loved the musical or film or if you’re like me and have seen neither, either way, you’ll most certainly enjoy this documentary.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Connect with Eclectic Arts: Social Media Links Here
The Automat
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 3/28/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
I knew what an Automat was but that’s due to a comedy special from over ten years ago when one was shown overseas in Europe. The same design where columns of steel, with windows, and slots for money held various food items for purchase self-serve style. Had I not seen that special, I never would have known what the documentary film “The Automat” was about.
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 3/28/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
I knew what an Automat was but that’s due to a comedy special from over ten years ago when one was shown overseas in Europe. The same design where columns of steel, with windows, and slots for money held various food items for purchase self-serve style. Had I not seen that special, I never would have known what the documentary film “The Automat” was about.
Director Lisa Hurwitz interviews family members related to the two founders Horn and Hardart of The Automat chain of stores as well as celebrities like Mel Brooks and politicians like Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Colin Powell.
The documentary keeps a very smooth pace for the viewer. The concept of the Automat and its appeal is really explored with a great human interest angle. For the two cities where you could find the Automat’s, they were an inexpensive alternative for basically everyone. Race, age, creed, etc. none of it mattered at the Automat which for the time when they were around was a remarkable characteristic. Visual evidence was shown where in a time of segregation, black customers were sitting down and eating right next to white customers. Families were shown as for five cents (later ten cents), everyone could buy whatever they wanted, much like a mechanized buffet of sorts.
The film also has a wonderful knack of showing how both Horn and Hardart really did their best to take care of their employees and in turn many of the employees were loyal to the company. It seems like such a simple concept but I’m sure we all have experienced both sides of that particular coin.
“The Automat” is a well done documentary that is certainly worth investing your time with.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Connect with Eclectic Arts: Social Media Links Here
Apples and Oranges
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 3/28/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
One of the best aspects of any documentary is when they cover a topic I know nothing about. The opportunity to learn something new always keeps me coming back for more.
In the case of the documentary film, “Apples and Oranges”, I knew nothing of a kibbutz or volunteering to work on one. In the 60’s, volunteers from all over the world wanted to spend a month or so working on a kibbutz in Israel. With the hippie movement in the U.S. I could see why some of the volunteers wanted to go to Israel. The communal aspect, working the land, learning about a new culture and people was extremely enticing. Not to mention meeting other volunteers from other parts of the world.
The film does a fantastic job of showing what life was like as both a volunteer and kibbutznik. Several volunteers from different parts of the world are interviewed which really helps paint the picture. The pros and cons are explored as well, particularly as the volunteers were slowly viewed as lower class folks in later years. And as the political landscape changed, so did the volunteer program.
“Apples and Oranges” is not only educational but entertaining as well. It hits all the right notes and I found it highly enjoyable viewing.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Connect with Eclectic Arts: Social Media Links Here
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 3/28/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
One of the best aspects of any documentary is when they cover a topic I know nothing about. The opportunity to learn something new always keeps me coming back for more.
In the case of the documentary film, “Apples and Oranges”, I knew nothing of a kibbutz or volunteering to work on one. In the 60’s, volunteers from all over the world wanted to spend a month or so working on a kibbutz in Israel. With the hippie movement in the U.S. I could see why some of the volunteers wanted to go to Israel. The communal aspect, working the land, learning about a new culture and people was extremely enticing. Not to mention meeting other volunteers from other parts of the world.
The film does a fantastic job of showing what life was like as both a volunteer and kibbutznik. Several volunteers from different parts of the world are interviewed which really helps paint the picture. The pros and cons are explored as well, particularly as the volunteers were slowly viewed as lower class folks in later years. And as the political landscape changed, so did the volunteer program.
“Apples and Oranges” is not only educational but entertaining as well. It hits all the right notes and I found it highly enjoyable viewing.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Connect with Eclectic Arts: Social Media Links Here
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 4/1/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
“Persian Lessons” is a wonderful drama about a man who pretends to be of Persian descent to escape the potential death sentence when he is in fact Jewish. A German commanding officer learns of this and he orders the man named Gilles to teach him Farsi. The only problem is Gilles doesn’t know Farsi.
Thus begins the story and it’s an intriguing one. The film illustrates the lengths some would go to in order to live another day in the Nazi concentration camps.
“Persian Lessons” was a top notch film with riveting performances. This is definitely one film to screen while enjoying the festival.
Recommended.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Connect with Eclectic Arts: Social Media Links Here
When We See Ourselves (shorts program)
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 4/4/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again. Anytime you’re partaking in a film festival, do yourself a favor and check out at least one of the shorts blocks (if not all of them). Some of the best ideas and creative licenses happen in the shorts programs. “When We See Ourselves” continues the tradition of bringing really intriguing film ideas as stand alone shorts or as the springboard to a possible feature length film in the future.
All six short films were diverse in what they brought to the table but they were all equally valid in their own right. From serious drama to claymation type animation, “When We See Ourselves” was strong across the board.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
When We See Ourselves (shorts program)
27th Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Reviewed: 4/4/2021
Rating: 5 / 5
I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again. Anytime you’re partaking in a film festival, do yourself a favor and check out at least one of the shorts blocks (if not all of them). Some of the best ideas and creative licenses happen in the shorts programs. “When We See Ourselves” continues the tradition of bringing really intriguing film ideas as stand alone shorts or as the springboard to a possible feature length film in the future.
All six short films were diverse in what they brought to the table but they were all equally valid in their own right. From serious drama to claymation type animation, “When We See Ourselves” was strong across the board.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Connect with Eclectic Arts: Social Media Links Here
It is not a typo that all of the films from this year's festival were rated 5/5. They were all amazing productions that were well deserving of their ratings. I only wish I had more time in my schedule to check out some of the other offerings and attend the in-person events as well.
Perhaps next year my schedule will allow me to partake in the in-person experience. Until then - thank you to everyone involved with the 2022 Seattle Jewish Film Festival. You all have much to be proud of.
Best,
Mark
EA
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