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As a former film critic and the author of two books of film criticism, I love talking about movies. Conversation is critical to the film festival experience, which is why every screening is followed by a discussion with the audience.
This year, I am thrilled to be joined by several special guests for these popular talkbacks.
“Israel Swings for the Gold”
Tuesday, November 12 at 6:30 pm in the Grace Gamm Theater
Guest Speaker: Ryan Lavarnway
Ryan Cole Lavarnway is an American Israeli former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Cleveland Indians. In international competition, he plays for Team Israel and competed for them in the World Baseball Classic and in the Olympics.
Lavarnway attended Yale University, where he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association batting title. Lavarnway also set the Ivy League record with a 25-game hitting streak. In addition, he set the Ivy League all-time career home run record, with 33.
In 2013, Lavarnway married Jewish chef and food blogger Jamie Neistat, a Denver native, with whom he has a daughter, Blake Elizabeth. He and his wife attend synagogue regularly and live what he describes as a “Jewish lifestyle.” His cousin, Emma, served in the Israel Defense Forces. In 2020, Lavarnway was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
“Call Me Dancer”
Thursday, November 14, 6:30 pm in the Boedecker Theater
Guest Speaker: Lucy Bowen McCauley
Choreographer Lucy Bowen McCauley, who is featured in the documentary, will join us for the screening on Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 pm in the Boedecker Theater. Lucy’s dance company of 25 years, based in Washington DC, invited Manish Chauhan – the Indian dancer whose story is the focus of the film – to perform at the Kennedy Center.
“The Blond Boy from the Casbah”
Sunday, November 17, 3 pm in the Grace Gamm Theater
Guest Speaker: Sylvain Hayoun
A longtime Boulder resident and member of Har HaShem, Sylvain Hayoun was born in Tunisia, and as a teen fled for Paris with his family – much like the title character in the film, who is forced to leave Algiers as a youth.
“Telling Nonie”
Monday, November 11, 3 pm in the Grace Gamm Theater
Guest Speaker: Professor Zach Levey
A visiting Professor from Haifa University, Zach Levey has taught in CU’s International Affairs Program, the Program in Jewish Studies, the Department of History and the Department of Political Science. His areas of expertise include Israeli Foreign Policy and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, and he is the author of books and articles in those fields.
“Stella: A Life”
Tuesday, November 12, noon in the Boedecker Theater
Guest Speaker: Professor Paul Shankman
A frequent and popular guest speaker at the festival’s Holocaust films, Professor Paul Shankman came to CU in 1973 after graduating from Harvard. A Professor of Anthropology, Paul has been teaching the Holocaust for several decades and is co-founder of CU’s Program in Jewish Studies.
In addition to these in-person guests, the festival is offering audiences four pre-recorded interviews with filmmakers. These Q&As are sent by email to all ticket holders immediately following the screenings to watch at home.
This year, I will be talking with Lex Gillespie, director of “The Catskills,” Leslie Shampaine, director of “Call Me Dancer,” Shlomo Weprin, director of “Song of Ascent,” and Reymonde Amsallem, co-writer and co-star “Seven Blessings.”
