JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Rosenstrasse and The Book Thief
Join us to watch two moving and beautiful films that reveal lesser-known stories and human truths of the Holocaust. Interactive artist discussion following the screenings.
FEB. 15-28, 2021 | ON DEMAND
Your Festival Ticket includes access to view “Rosenstrasse” and “The Book Thief” as well as joining us for a fascinating discussion on Zoom with Pamela Katz, Co-Screenwriter for “Rosenstrasse” and Florian Ballhaus, ASC, Cinematographer for “The Book Thief.” There will be time for questions from the audience as well.
Rosenstrasse
Directed by Margarethe von Trotta
Screenplay by Margarethe von Trotta and Pamela Katz
In the cold Berlin winter of 1943, hundreds of Aryan women stood, and waited, in defiance of the Nazis who had suddenly imprisoned their Jewish husbands and children in a factory on a street named Rosenstrasse. While countless Jews had already been sent to concentration camps for execution, Jewish husbands of Aryan wives had, until then, been allowed to survive because of their mixed marriage. Suddenly, every single Jew in Berlin was threatened with deportation. Their wives, who had lost almost everything, refused to accept this final blow. On that street these women stood in protest, in the name of love until they were reunited with their men. This is the striking story of Rosenstrasse: where the power of the human will stands inconquerable. Featuring Maria Schrader (Emmy Award, “Unorthodox”) and multi-award winning actresses Katja Riemann and Jutta Lampe.
Running Time: 2 hr 16 min. In German and English, with English subtitles.
Scroll Down to view the Rosenstrasse trailer
Rosenstrasse will be available to view any time between February 22nd at 8:00 p.m. and February 28th at midnight.
The Book Thief
Directed by Brian Percival
Cinematography by Florian Ballhaus, ASC
In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Oscar, Emmy & Tony Award-winner Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Oscar-Nominee Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel's new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans' life.
Running Time: 2 hr 15 min, in English.
Scroll Down to view The Book Thief trailer
The Book Thief will be available to view any time between February 15th at 8:00 p.m. and February 28th at midnight.
Post-Screening Discussion
Join us on Zoom on Sunday, February 28th at 5:00 p.m. for a discussion with Florian Ballhaus, ASC (Cinematographer, “The Book Thief”) and Pamela Katz (Co-Screenwriter, “Rosenstrasse”). We will discuss the films from a historical, creative, and personal perspective, and take questions from the audience.
About Pamela Katz
Pamela Katz is a screenwriter most known for her work with legendary director, Margarethe von Trotta, including “Hannah Arendt” (One of The New York Times critic A.O. Scott’s top ten films), “Rosenstrasse," “The Other Woman,” and “Forget About Nick.” Other films include “Remembrance,” starring David Rasche, and an original comedy, “Home Sweet Home.” She is currently writing "Kasztner’s Ark,” which tells the controversial story of Rezso Kasztner, the Hungarian Zionist who agreed to trade 10,000 trucks for the lives of one million Jews. His so-called “deal with the devil" is furiously debated until today. As an author, she has published essays and articles, as well as the book, The Partnership: Brecht, Weill, Three Women and Germany on the Brink, published by Doubleday/Nan A. Talese. The New Yorker proclaimed “Katz restores the women to their proper place in the story, with levity, strong characterization, and beguiling descriptions of an interwar German milieu crackling with politics, art, and a sense of possibility.” Ms. Katz is an Adjunct Professor of screenwriting at the NYU/Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film program.
About Florian Ballhaus
Florian Ballhaus was born in Germany, and began his career in America at the age of 16. He started out working as a second camera assistant for his father, the renowned cinematographer Michael Ballhaus, and worked his way up in the industry to second unit cinematographer with directors like Martin Scorsese, James L. Brooks, and Mike Nichols. He began his own career as a cinematographer in 1997, shooting his first American feature films with directors such as Alan Rudolph (Secret Lives of Dentists) and Adam Brooks (Definitely, Maybe.) He enjoys close collaborations with director David Frankel (5 films including The Devil Wears Prada); Robert Schwentke (7 films including Flightplan and “The Captain.”). The critically acclaimed “The Captain” won a cinematography award at the San Sebastian Film Festival as well as the 2018 German Camera Award.