2009 Theatres

USA 2009; 98 min; English; New York State Premiere
Adult Content

A down-and-out film producer agrees to make his nephew’s film about 19th century English statesman Benjamin Disraeli, but can only get financing if he casts a well-known action star (LL Cool J). Production is halted however, when the lead actor is kidnapped from the European film set, so the producer hatches a scheme with a struggling creative executive to save the star and the movie. Starring William H. Macy and Meg Ryan.

Sponsored by Ascape Landscape

Canada 2007; 95 min; English; Rockland Premiere

As a child, Melanie was sent to the Drancy transit camp outside Paris during World War II. Now a wife and mother, living in Canada, the door to her past blows open with the arrival of two visitors. As friends who meet decades after their release from Drancy, they gather for a celebration near Quebec in her home, where memories and long suppressed love re-kindles. The extraordinary cast includes Susan Sarandon as Melanie, Gabriel Byrne as her childhood love, Christopher Plummer, and Max von Sydow.

Sponsored by Town of Ramapo, Christopher P. St. Lawrence, Supervisor; New York State Senator Thomas P. Morahan

Argentina, France, Italy, Spain 2008; 91 min; Hebrew, Spanish, with subtitles; Rockland Premiere

The story of a Buenos Aires couple suddenly alone for the first time in years after their last child leaves home. Leonardo, an accomplished playwright, escapes the boredom of empty-nest syndrome with fantasies of infidelity, while his hyper wife Martha returns to the academic studies that defined her before motherhood. He retreats, she blooms. Eventually, the family seeks reconciliation in Israel. Writer-director Daniel Burman’s (Lost Embrace) self-deprecating brand of Jewish humor has invited comparisons with Woody Allen.

THE FIRST BASKET
Directed by David Vyorst
Guest Speaker: David Vyorst, Executive Producer and Creator

When David Vyorst is not busy spreading the gospel of Jewish basketball history, he is a communications specialist and web strategy consultant living in Washington, D.C. The First Basket is David's first film, and he is currently hard at work developing three other film projects, including a video project about peacemakers and friends across the divide of the Middle East conflict. Previously, Mr. Vyorst directed Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide's Internet media department. His political experience includes two presidential campaigns, work on Capitol Hill, and public opinion research. As a lifetime sports fan and film enthusiast, Mr. Vyorst brings his personal enthusiasm and love of the game to The First Basket. David Vyorst holds a Bachelors Degree from UCLA and a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics.

Directed by Erik Kesten and  Brett Rapkin
Guest Speaker: Erik Kesten, Director and Nate Fish, featured player in film

Erik Kesten is a two-time Emmy Award winning producer, writer, and editor.  He was the associate producer of HBO’s “CURSE OF THE BAMBINO,” which earned the 2003 Emmy for Outstanding Sports Documentary.  Kesten co-wrote and produced “HITLER’S PAWN,” the story of Margaret Lambert, a German-Jewish high jumper in 1930’s Germany who was used by the Nazi’s to secure the ‘36 Berlin Games. The film aired on HBO in 2004 and was nominated for two Emmys. In 2005 he co-produced “MANTLE,” about the bittersweet life of Mickey Mantle, which also aired on HBO and received two Emmy nominations.  Kesten has also worked with CBS, A&E, The History Channel, The NFL Network, and ESPN.  In 2007, he was the writer of two documentaries for HBO Sports:  "THE UCLA DYNASTY" and "MICHIGAN VS. OHIO STATE: THE RIVALRY."  In 2008, he was a producer/editor and series writer for "BASEBALL'S GOLDEN AGE," a 13-episode series for Fox Sports Net, narrated by Alec Baldwin.  In early 2009, he was the writer of the HBO Sports documentary, "THE BATTLE FOR TOBACCO ROAD: DUKE VS. NORTH CAROLINA" and is currently a producer and editor for the Travel Channel's hit series, "GHOST ADVENTURES."

A native of New Hampshire and Cleveland, Nate Fish received a baseball scholarship to the University of Cincinnati and was named team captain as a senior.  He has since played at the highest levels of softball and baseball all over the world, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Argentina, and Germany.  In 2007, he was a Gold-Glove winning All-Star 3rd baseball for the Tel Aviv Lightning during the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League.  He has been invited for a tryout with the Newark Bears Baseball Club and offered a spot on the U.S. Olympic softball team for the 2010 Pan Am Games.  Meanwhile, he writes for several magazines in New York and continues to pursue his dream of becoming an artist.

USA 2008; 84 min; English; Rockland Premiere 

Holy Land Hardball follows the dubious formation of the Israel Baseball League (IBL) by Larry Baras, a Boston bakery owner with no sports management experience. Stirred to action by a midlife crisis, Baras recruits a diverse collection of execs and players for the IBL. Amid a skeptical media, disgruntled players, delayed stadium preparations, customs snafus, and a rapidly approaching Opening Day, Baras must ask: if I build it, will they come? A wildly entertaining story that transcends sports and speaks to the power of pursuing a pipedream in the face of impossible odds.

Sponsored by Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office; Town of Orangetown, Thom Kleiner, Supervisor

Israel  2006; 76 min; Hebrew, Russian with English subtitles; Rockland Premiere

Can we come to terms with who we are? Can we accept our shortcomings? Can we face what makes us different than the rest, and embrace it whole-heartedly? Four children learn to do just that during an adventurous journey throughout the scenic Israeli wilderness. One of the first films for children made in Israel, a glimpse of the Israeli reality, while emphasizing the common denominators of children worldwide shows that even children can be heroes.

Sponsored by Linda & Jim Gerstley and Advanced Radiation Oncology Services at Nyack Hospital; The Irgang Family

THE LITTLE TRAITOR
Directed by Lynn Roth
Guest Speaker: TBA

Israel 2007; 90 min; Hebrew, Mandarin with English Subtitles; Rockland Premiere

Miri’s well-regulated existence is suddenly turned upside down when her Chinese cleaning lady disappears, leaving her young son stranded at Miri’s Tel Aviv apartment. A touching comic drama in which two human beings accompany each other on a remarkable journey, one that takes them both back to a meaningful life. Winner of the 2007 Israeli Film Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress; Winner-Grand Prix of the Jury Montreal World Film Festival.

Sponsored by Micki & Jim Leader and Leader & Berkon, LLP; Marc Aaron Glatt Kosher Caterers and Classic Caterers; Riverspace; Arthur & Hilda Wenig

Israel 2008; 85 min; Hebrew with English subtitles; Rockland Premiere

Guest Speaker for Waltz with Bashir:  Rabbi Mordechai Becher
Rabbi Mordechai Becher, originally from Australia, is a Senior Lecturer for the Gateways Organization.  He was a Senior Lecturer at Ohr Somayach, Neve Yerushalayim and Darchei Binah in Jerusalem for 15 years, was a chaplain in the Israel Defence Forces and taught in a number of Rabbinic training programs. Rabbi Becher is the co-author of After the Return, and has answered thousands of questions on the Ask-the-Rabbi website. His latest book, Gateway to Judaism, was recently published by Shaar Press. Rabbi Becher received his ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.  He has lectured for the UJA, Jewish Federations, the Zionist Organization of America, Hillel and is on the speakers bureau of the Israeli Consulate in New York.  He has taught in Canada, the United States, England, Israel, South Africa, Australia and Russia. He resides with his wife and 6 children in Passaic, NJ.

THE PREDATOR'S RETURN
Directed by and Guest Speaker Jerald Fine  
Short Film; 14 minutes

The Predator’s Return, written, produced and directed by Jerald Fine, recalls the unique visions of Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling.
The short film poses an extremely chilling dilemma: what if one found out that the newest resident of his nursing home was the same Nazi officer that murdered his entire family sixty years earlier.

SEX & THE SENIORS
Short Film; 12 minutes

A claymation movie created by senior members of the MAR-JCC entitled Sex & the Seniors. A group of senior members from the
MAR-JCC senior programming participated in this exciting project — from writing the script, to creating their own clay characters, to coloring the backgrounds, and recording their voices, creating a piece on the importance of safe sex despite their age.