This year’s Ajijic Jewish Film Festival, sponsored by the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation, promises to keep the audiences on their toes and sometimes on the edge of their seats.
What may set this year’s selections apart is that with one exception, the stories are about ordinary people living relatable lives. Yet, each of the films lends itself to post screening discussions on a variety of topics including interpersonal relations, everyday Israeli life and revisionist history.
Highlights from the program of eight films include “Barren,” a beautifully acted, poignant film exploring the desperation potential parents experience and the lengths they will go to achieve their dreams. In “Barren” and ultra-orthodox young mother goes to disastrous extremes to conceive, causing catastrophic consequences that involve the family as well as the rabbinical court. Also in the drama category is “Tiger Within,” the late Ed Asner’s last role, in which he shines as a curmudgeon Holocaust survivor, a loner, who befriends a homeless, alienated teenaged girl wearing a swastika on her jacket. The unlikely relationship may strain credulity to some degree, but the occasional feel good vibes make it worthwhile. Critics universally found Asner’s posthumous performance to be one of his best and worth the price of admission alone.
Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.