Jewish Film Festival Preview slated at Meadow Brook Hall

Film lovers interested in attending the 2010 Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival can get a sneak preview and fascinating insights from expert scholars when Oakland University hosts a Jewish Film Festival Preview. Set for April 14-15 at Meadow Brook Hall, the event will showcase four films to be presented in late April and early May by the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit.

The Oakland preview is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Judaic Studies Program, The Merton J. and Beverly Segal Support Foundation and the Jewish Community Center.

Carol Segal Ziecik, whose parents established The Merton J. and Beverly Segal Support Foundation, is a film buff involved with OU’s Judaic Studies Program. Prior to this she served on the board of advisors of the Oakland University Art Gallery.

“I jumped on supporting this right away,” Ziecik said. “I’ve been aware of the Jewish Film Festival for years, and this preview is a microcosm of that.”

Elysa Koppelman-White, Ph.D, associate professor of philosophy and interim director of the Judaic Studies program, noted that this is the first-ever Jewish Film Festival Preview hosted by OU.

“What is unique about the preview is that attendees get to hear interesting comments from very knowledgeable OU professors and have an opportunity to discuss the films and to ask questions.”

The four films included in the preview are:

• “The Syrian Bride” at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 – This wedding-day story of a bride who must forsake her family to cross the Israel/Syria border won Best Film, Public Award – Montreal Film Festival in 2004. After the film, Oakland associate professor of Communication and Journalism Kellie Hay, Ph.D, will lead a discussion.
• “For My Father” at 7 p.m. on April 14 – The story of a Palestinian man who gets a reprieve from a suicide mission was nominated for seven Israeli Film Academy Awards. Paul Kubicek, Ph.D, chair and professor of Political Science, will lead a discussion after the film.
• “The Beetle” at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 15 – This film recounts a personal journey revolving around director Yishai Orian’s Volkswagen, his most prized possession. A discussion will be led afterward by Mike Pytlik, lecturer in Sociology and Anthropology.
• “Goyband” at 7 p.m. on April 15 – This is a multi-themed comedy about the ultra-Orthodox Jewish world and pop culture. After the screening a discussion will be led by Kyle Edwards, Ph.D, assistant professor of English and director – Cinema Studies.

“Our film festival office has worked very closely with Oakland University to create a preview that will draw the students of OU and the nearby community,” said Shari Lebo, director of the Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival.

Dr. Koppelman-White added, “It’s a great and unique group of films that examine Jewish identity, Palestinian conflict and much more from a variety of perspectives.”

Admission to the preview is $7 per film or $10 for a double feature. Seating is limited and advance ticket purchase is recommended. OU students will be admitted free of charge with a student ID. For advance tickets, contact Kristen Clark at (248) 370-2650 or klclark@oakland.edu.

The 2010 Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival, set for April 25 through May 6, will include 40 feature, documentary and short films that cover a wide range of Jewish subject matter. For more information, visit the Web site.