For the first time in Maine!
MJFF presents: Sephardic Film Festival 2024
Film Screenings and Performance
The United States of Elie Tahari
Saturday, November 2 at 4:00PM
Running time 69 minutes
Ticket for Film Screening: $10
The United States of Elie Tahari, directed and produced by David Serero, received the "Best Fashion Documentary Award" at the London Fashion Film Festival, The Jury Award at the Moscow Design Film Festival, "Best Director on a Documentary" by the Berlin Indie Film Festival, Best Producer, Best Director, Best Feature Documentary Awards by the Eastern Europe International Movie Awards, and received Honorable Mention at the London International Film Festival, and was selected in several film festivals across the world.
"It teaches the masses to dare to dream and have the confidence to turn it into a reality.” — UK Film Review
Fashion Designer and Mogul Elie Tahari has lived the American Dream for over 50 years. He came to New York in 1971, from Israel (born to Iranian parents), with less than $100 in his pocket, slept on benches in Central Park, and went on to build a billion-dollar fashion empire. There are thousands of fashion companies worldwide, but only three have lasted for more than 45 years globally and are still run by their founders: Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Elie Tahari. The official trailer for the film is here: vimeo.com/ondemand/elietahari
Before the film, the director David Serrero will share pre-recorded remarks with our audience.
Seven Blessings and Performance by Cantor Sheila Nesis and Instrumentalists
Saturday, November 2 at 6:00PM
Running time 108 minutes
Ticket for Film Screening and Performance: $25
Seven Blessings is Israel’s official entry for the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, Ayelet Menahemi’s Seven Blessings revolves around an eventful Jewish Moroccan family wedding and the traditional blessings that are pronounced during the ceremony, again at the reception, and then again for the next seven nights with loved ones hosting special dinners in the couple’s honor. Behind the facade of joie de vivre and togetherness, there are secrets, lies, and a painful old wound that forces them to confront the past while wrecking the present, all entwined in this acclaimed story about fury, forgiveness, and food. Added to the mix is a joyous comedy of errors and misinterpretation by numerous members of the family speaking multiple languages, spanning Hebrew, Arabic, French, and the French Moroccan dialect. Seven Blessings won big at this year’s Israel Academy Awards (Ophirs), sweeping the awards ceremony by taking home the Best Picture Award and triumphing in nine additional categories, including Best Director, Best Script, and Best Actress for Reymonde Amsallem, who co-wrote the screenplay.
“An unforgettable experience”
— Shmulik Duvdevani, Ynet
“A work of art which I haven’t seen in many years”
— Orr Sigoli, Srita
Before the film, director Ronen Ben Tal will Share pre-recorded remarks with our audience.
At 8PM : Live performance of Sephardic Music by Cantor Sheila Nesis & Instrumentalists