Welcome back! We’re thrilled to return for another year and deeply grateful for the enduring support from the Baton Rouge community since our start in 2007. The BRJFF celebrates the diversity of the Jewish experience through film. Our program aims to entertain and inspire you, our audience, by presenting universal themes against the backdrop of Jewish traditions and characters. Additionally, the festival highlights Baton Rouge as a progressive, multicultural, and multi-ethnic community. Thank you for your support, and see you at the movies!
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - "Yaniv!" (in English)
Comedy-drama about a Bronx high school teacher who needs to raise $10,000 for his school’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. He teams up with his colleague Jonah, a former gambling addict, to play Yaniv, an Israeli card game, at an underground club in Regal Park. Hosted by Mendy, Orthodox men bet big on “the blackjack of the Jewish people,” taking the game very seriously.
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - "The Blonde Boy from Casbah" (In French with English subtitles)
Passionate filmmaker Antoine travels to his birthplace, Algiers, with his young son to present his new film about his childhood during Algeria’s civil war. Wandering the city, Antoine recalls moments of happiness, laughter, and tears spent with school friends and his Jewish family. Growing up during Algeria’s pre-independence period, he discovers his love for cinema and starts to understand his identity.
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 @ 7:30 pm -"Kidnapped" (in Italian with English subtitles)
The true story of Edgardo Mortara, a young Jewish boy in 1858 Bologna who is secretly baptized by his nanny and then forcibly taken from his family by the papal authorities to be raised as a Catholic. His parents’ struggle to reclaim him becomes a significant political conflict involving the papacy and the forces of democracy in Italy. The film explores themes of religious identity, family loyalty, and political turmoil during a turbulent period in Italian history.
Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 @ 3:00 pm - "Gentlemen's Agreement" (In English)
Gregory Peck stars as a journalist who pretends to be Jewish to investigate anti-semitism in New York. This groundbreaking film, directed by Elia Kazan, won three Academy Awards in 1947, including Best Picture, Celeste Holm for Best Supporting Actress, and Elia Kazan for Best Director. Acclaimed for its bold and honest portrayal of bigotry and prejudice in post-war society, the film remains a significant work in cinema history, shedding light on the pervasive issue of intolerance.
Manship Theatre does not authorize third party ticket sellers. Any ticket purchased outside the Manship Theatre Website may not be valid. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket to attend performances. Please carefully consider whether a performance is appropriate for children before planning to attend.
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