Exclusive Interview with Filmmaker Pablo Solarz of The Last Suit
The conclusion of the 2018 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival climaxed with a heart-clinching screening of The Last Suit by Director Pablo Solarz of Argentina. The Last Suit is a narrative about a Jewish 88-year-old tailor by the name of Abraham who sets out on an exhausting journey to reunite with the man who saved his life during the time of the Holocaust. This film, chosen as the celebratory closing at #AJFF2018 was an experience that captivated its viewers as we journeyed with Abraham from trial to triumph. Prior to the screening, we got the chance to speak with Pablo Solarz and hear first hand about what it took to bring this phenomenal project to life.
When asked how he felt to have The Last Suit shown as the closing film for this year’s festival, Pablo says it’s “like a dream” and that he’s very grateful to share this film with such a largely diverse audience. Originally written in 2004, it took over 13+ years to bring such a dream to fruition. His hope is for people to leave with a feeling of humanity and brotherhood; that no one is superior or inferior to the other. Also, Pablo wants people to realize how important it is to keep the memory of such tragedies alive in order to gain consciousness as to what we still see happening today. Both written and directed by Pablo Solarz himself, to date, the film is being viewed in 6 countries including Argentina, Spain, France, Germany, Poland and the U.S.
For more information on the 2018 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and the film The Last Suit, please visit ajff.org.
The 41st Atlanta Film Festival Starts Today!
The 41st Annual Atlanta Film Festival begins today and will run throughout April 2, 2017. For a span of 10 days total, participators can expect an enthralling plethora of more than 160 feature length and short film presentations, 37 Creative Conferences and over a dozen Special Presentations. The Atlanta Film Festival has proven to be a monumental event that draws in filmmakers, writers, film lovers and more from all over the country and abroad. This highly anticipated Festival (aka ATLFF) has received global recognition as one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" and "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee". The Opening Ceremony and red carpet screening this year will feature a narrative, DAVE MADE A MAZE - a story about a character named Dave who falls victim to his own fort erected in his personal living room. Dave winds up "trapped by the fantastical pitfalls, bobby traps and critters of his own making." Following the opening film, there will be a after party available to pass-holders who have obtained wristbands at the conclusion of tonight's screening.
For more information on AFF, please visit, www.atlantafilmfestival.com and to check out my recap from last year's 40th annual AFF, visit http://urbanluxmag.com/2016/04/02/40th-atlanta-film-festival/.
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#AJFF2017 Film Review | Aida's Secrets
Aida's Secrets is yet another stunningly captivating film and documentary showcased at this year's Atlanta Jewish Film Festival! The story involves two estranged brothers Izak and Shepsel, who were never told about one another, both born during the post-war era in separate displaced persons camps. Separated from their Polish mother Aida and 65 years later, the brothers find themselves reunited, in hopes of putting the missing pieces back together concerning their uncertain heritage. While visually-impaired Shephsel ends up in Canada and his brother Izak, is shipped away to Israel for adoption, an investigation spearheaded by Izak's family, successfully, brings the two together to rejoin their mother Aida. This documentary is a story of redemption, hope, and particulary, Aida's Secrets is a film about how unconditional love prevails in spite of decades of unresolved questions.
Filmmakers Alon and Shaul Schwarz, capture the beauty of this family's story and teach us the importance of courageously confronting circumstances experienced with those closest to us in order to redeem lost, yet highly valuable time. For more information about #AJFF2017, please visit www.ajff.org.
Opening Night at the 2017 AJFF
With a sense of high anticipation in the air, the time for The 2017 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival was finally here! Tuesday night, the majestic Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta quickly began to flood with long-time patrons, media affiliates, industry personalities and film lovers. This, my second year attending this amazing film festival, left me totally excited to see what the opening ceremony had in store for us. And to my point, the ceremony from start to finish was just excellent! From the plethora of cuisine sponsors and their delectable selections to the administration, greeters, and overall hospitality, they did not miss a beat! The AJFF opening gala is always an upbeat atmosphere that allows guests and industry professionals alike the opportunity to mix and mingle in a very classy place. In fact, the gala is the ideal space for networking among like-minded people who passionately appreciate the cultural enlightenment that this film festival has to offer.
Among the dining sponsors present for the gala were the following:
Atlas
Buckhead Diner
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
Ecco
For All Occassions & More
The General Muir
IL Giallo Osteria & Bar
Imperial Fez
Nan Thai Fine Dining
Ouzeria
Southern Art & Bourbon Bar
Soto Soto
Taco Cowboy
Southern Baked Pie Company
Tiff’s Treats
Piece of Cake
Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters
Following the conclusion of the gala, we all made our way into the main arena in preparation for the feature screening Alone in Berlin. Despite technical difficulties in the beginning, the crowd was electrified to be present that night and you could tell that everyone had high hopes for the opening film. Not to mention, we were being serenaded by an amazing band posted in the balcony prior to the show starting. Finally, at the top of the show, we were pleasantly surprised to receive an official welcome to the 2017 AJFF by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed! Mayor Reed told us that we should be a very proud city to hold the position of hosting the world’s largest Jewish Film Festival as well as the fact that our very own Atlanta Falcons are in the Super Bowl!
Just before the Alone in Berlin began, AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank and AJFF Board President Steve Labovitz came on stage to share with us that we are living in a very exciting moment to witness history unfolding as the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival works tirelessly year-round to “Achieve new ways of culture and social understanding in a way that only film can." And that we should all be grateful to be a part of a city and event that believes in "making arts a priority in our community". This film, Alone in Berlin, is a heart-gripping story of a middle-class husband and wife in Berlin Germany who tragically lose their son at war and who choose to defy the Nazi regime by leaving random post cards throughout the city as a form of silent protest. Actors Emma Thompson and Brendan Glesson execute and splendid performance of this couple’s grief to action. And knowing that this was based on a true story, we were all left utterly touched by their courage and unyielding determination to avenge their son’s death and the powerful political statement of justice they left behind.
For more information about this film, the 2017 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and to purchase tickets, please visit www.ajff.org.
*Photos Courtesy of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
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Début to the 16th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Tonight marks the kick off to this phenomenal film fest at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. Celebrating 16 years, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) opens with a stellar gala held in Ballrooms A, B & C of the Cobb Energy Centre. The room was comfortably adorned with both draped café round and high tables topped with hot pink plumes seated in tall vases. The gala began around 5PM EST to segway into the premiere film "Remember" at 7:30PM. The film is a thriller that centers around a dementia-stricken Holocaust survivor played by actor Christopher Plummer (See Movie Trailer Below). Prior to the film premiere, fans of AJFF made their rounds around the ballroom floor to taste a slew of foods and delicacies prepared by close to 20 local top notch dining sponsors for the event.
This event is the largest Jewish film Festival in the world and the largest film festival to be held annually in the city of Atlanta. Scheduled from January 26 - February 17th, there will be a wide range of films shown all around Atlanta. This is definitely one that you don't want to miss!
For more and to purchase film tickets, please visit www.ajff.org.
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