Diversity of Jewish experience highlights film fest

For today’s opening of the 37th Boston Jewish Film Festival. Artistic Director Joey Katz has spent the past year viewing, booking and refining the films, docs and events that make it all work year after year. “This year,” Katz began, “our Festival highlights the diversity of the Jewish experience, featuring films about the power of activism, history, and the many ways one can have an impact on community, culture, and politics. “We continue to highlight inclusive and diverse stories of people with disabilities, queer identity and social justice. Along with thrilling dramas and raucous comedies!” This 37th edition runs Nov. 5-16 in theaters and is virtual Nov. 17-19. Opening night at 7 p. m. is “The Most Precious of Cargoes.” “I start watching films right after the previous festival wraps up,” Katz revealed, confirming what a full-time job this is. “This film struck me as an opening night film: It’s powerful, emotional with really beautiful animation. “But it’s not a family film per se. Because when people hear it’s animated, I say, ‘Keep in mind it’s telling a story about WWII and the Holocaust.’ “It evokes Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ and the realities of people living in squalor during the war. People who are being exterminated on a massive scale. “But in the narration that feels ‘fairy tale-esque.’ It’s unique in the way it ties into the larger themes of the festival. “There are,” he added, “a number of films this year where people with different afflictions and religions can see the reality of other situations.” This year’s centerpiece screening on Nov. 12 is “All God’s Children,” which Katz calls, “A powerful doc about a white Jewish female rabbi and a Black Baptist reverend who bring their congregations together to fight racism and antisemitism. It shows the power of bringing people from different perspectives but with shared goals together, and also the challenges. “It’s not always a seamless melding but the end result is powerful. We will have the Boston Community Gospel Choir, an interfaith choir. “We’re trying to continue what we did last year by including musical numbers to help people get immersed into the worlds in the films.” Already sold out is “Midas Man,” about the Beatles promoter and manager Brian Epstein. Among the most intriguing entries, from a Hollywood perspective, is “From Darkness to Light,” a doc at the Coolidge Corner Nov. 11. about Jerry Lewis’ highly personal Holocaust drama “The Day the Clown Cried” which he financed, began filming, abandoned, never to be seen. “Unique!” Katz calls it. “Rarely do we have films that tap into film history. There’s a mystique and allure with this film that has so much unknown about it.” bostonjfilm.org