All this week, the 24th St. Louis Jewish Film Festival has been bringing a variety of films to the Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema screen.
At 4 p.m., Thursday, June 6, as part of the festival offerings, “Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People,” a docudrama directed by Oren Rudavsky, tells the story of how a penniless Jewish immigrant from Hungary became one of America’s most admired and feared media figures.
The man behind the Pulitzer Prize spoke of “fake news” and the importance of freedom of the press more than a century ago. His newspapers, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The New York World, reached an unprecedented number of readers, while maintaining journalistic ideals.
The Joseph Pulitzer film is sponsored by Nancy and Ken Kranzberg, and an introduction will be provided by Richard Weiss, a journalist, author and writing coach, who was a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter and editor from 1975 to 2005.
Also on tap for Thursday is “A Fortunate Man,” at 1 p.m., directed by Bille August. In the late 19th century, Peter Sidenius is an ambitious young man from a devout Christian family in rural Denmark. He rebels against his clergyman father and goes to Copenhagen to study engineering. He winds up in the intellectual circles of a wealthy Jewish family and becomes engaged to the elder daughter. He conceives a large-scale project which could be a life-changing pipe dream or the idea of the century. “A Fortunate Man” is sponsored by Laurie and Lee Wielansky. There will be an introduction by Eric Hinrich, president of the Danish Club of St. Louis
At 7 p.m. on Thursday is “Shoelaces,” directed by Jacob Boldwasser. Described as a thoughtful, poignant, family dramedy, the film features Dov Glickman from Netflix’s “Shtisel.” The premise: With his ex-wife’s untimely demise, Reuven has to care for Gadi, his adult son who has disabilities. Gadi works in Reuven’s auto repair shop, as Reuven vows to atone for past shortcomings. Over time, Reuven warms to Gadi’s optimism and capacity for love as their bond becomes tested by issues that prompt complicated ethical and legal questions with profound ramifications. “Shoelaces” is sponsored by Eileen and Larry Schechter. An introduction will be provided by Nicole Johnson, vice president of Community Living Services, Easterseals Midwest.
The St. Louis Jewish Film Festival celebrates Jewish life, and this year included 16 documentary and feature films. While all films depict a slice of the Jewish experience, the films are universal, and are meant to be appealing to all, regardless of faith.
All films screen at the Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema. Tickets for weekday films are $12 in advance, and $13 at the door. Student tickets (age 16 and under) are $8. To purchase tickets, call 314-442-3179 or visit stljewishfilmfestival.org.
A raffle drawing is held before each film. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20.
This year’s festival co-chairs are Marilyn Brown, Jeffrey Korn and Paula Sigel. The Jewish Film Festival is a program of the Jewish Community Center.
