The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will presents its 2021 Virtual Film Festival on Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 2, 28, March 1, 2, 21, 22, 23, and April 18, 19, 20.
Admission is $10 per film or $35 for all four films. Individuals may watch a film at any time on the screening dates. For more information, call 732-252-6990.
After an individual’s registration is processed by the museum, they will receive a link that is good for viewing the film(s) at any time between the dates mentioned above, according to a press release.
Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 2
“The Keeper” tells the true story of Bert Trautman (David Kross), a German soldier and prisoner of war who, against a backdrop of British post-war protest and prejudice, secures the position of goalkeeper at Manchester City, and in doing so becomes a soccer icon.
Struggling for acceptance by those who dismiss him as the enemy, Bert’s love for Margaret (Freya Mavor), an Englishwoman, carries him through and he wins over even his harshest opponents by winning the 1956 FA Cup Final, playing on with a broken neck to secure victory.
But fate will soon twist the knife for Bert and Margaret when their love and loyalty to each other is put to the ultimate test.
Feb. 28, March 1, 2
“Crescendo.” When world famous conductor Eduard Sporck (played by Peter Simonischek) accepts a job to help establish an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he steps into a firestorm of discord and mistrust.
The two factions of young musicians have grown up in a state of conflict, with fear governing their perceptions of each other.
With only three weeks of rehearsal, Sporck’s essential task becomes more interpersonal than musical: can the children of conflict come together in harmony? Director Dror Zahavi brings us a gripping, clear-eyed drama imbued with hope for understanding, humanity and peace.
March 21, 22, 23
“A Matter of Size,” a story of Herzl (Itzik Cohen), an overweight, underemployed chef living at home with his mother in the Israeli city of Ramla. Unable to find a job cooking, he becomes a dishwasher at a Japanese restaurant.
One day he notices his coworkers watching sumo wrestling on TV. To Herzl, sumo is a revelation, an escape from the dictatorship of diets espoused by his weight-loss group. With three hefty pals in tow, Herzl decides to pursue the sport where his size is an asset.
April 18, 19, 20
“Sacred Sperm.” Like so many parents, Ori Gruder was grappling with how to talk to his 10-year-old son about sex. Being a member of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox religious community, which tends to keep discussions of sexuality to a whisper, made the task even more difficult.
So Gruder created “Sacred Sperm,” an hour-long documentary in which he tries to tackle the hard questions he can expect from his son. The film presents an intimate, informative and at times awkward look at the insular religious community and its approach to sexuality, fleshing out deeply entrenched taboos in the conservative society.
The film series is sponsored in part by Gary Matoren, in memory of his daughter, Debbie Lynn Matoren, in honor of the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, and the Jewish community in Monmouth County, according to the press release.
For more information, call 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org