REEL ASHKENAZ @ TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL April 11-21, 2013

Ashkenaz is pleased to partner once again with Toronto Jewish Film Festival in presenting four very different Jewish musical stories on film, encompassing Ashkenazic, Mizrahi and popular musical traditions. For advance tickets visit the TJFF box office online or call 416-324-9121.

Canadian Premiere

THE BALLAD OF THE WEEPING SPRING / HABALADA L’AVIV HA’BOCHE

Israel 2012, 105 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles

Director: Benny Toraty

In director Benny Toraty’s (Desperado Square) atmospheric drama filled with beautiful and haunting Mizrahi music, Tawila is on a quest to gather the members of his old musical troupe as he seeks redemption for a mysterious past and a dark secret.

 Sunday April 14 – 8:45pm – Cineplex Odeon Sheppard Cinemas 5.  4861 Yonge Street

Monday April 15 – 4:30pm – Innis Town Hall. 2 Sussex Avenue

BROADWAY MUSICALS: A JEWISH LEGACY

USA 2013, 90 min, English

Director: Michael Kantor

Filmmaker Michael Kantor chronicles the unique role that Jewish musicians had in the creation of the modern American musical. Features interviews with a plethora of theatre artists, rare archival materials from original Broadway productions, and unforgettable anecdotes.

Thursday April 18 – 1:00pm ROM Signey and Cléophée Eaton Theatre. 100 Queen’s Park

MY FATHER AND THE MAN IN BLACK

Canada 2012, 90 min, English

Director: Jonathan Holiff

How did Saul Holiff, a Jew from London, Ontario, become the manager of the legendary Johnny Cash? Following his estranged father Saul’s suicide, director Jonathan Holiff uses newly discovered letters and recordings to tell the riveting story about how Holiff and Cash collaborated to make Cash a superstar.

Thursday April 18 – 9:00pm Innis Town Hall. 2 Sussex Avenue

Toronto Premiere

HAVA NAGILA

USA 2012, 74 min, English

Director: Roberta Grossman

A joyous exploration of the history and meaning behind the famous tune that represents both Jewish kitsch and continuity, and that crosses all ethnic borders. Filmmaker Roberta Grossman follows the song’s Eastern European roots, its evolution in pre-state Palestine, and the song’s enormous popularity in America where it enters the mainstream. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy, Regina Spektor and more, it is also full of lively archival footage.

Sunday April 21 – 8:00pm Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West