Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series, in cooperation with the Michigan City Public Library and the Irving Levin Jewish Cultural Fund of Sinai Temple, presents a Jewish Film Festival from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. Sunday, April 8 at the Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St., Michigan City.
The film festival is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Two documentary films will be presented that offer a look at the lives of individuals facing differing life circumstances.
“Dancing in Jaffa”
Directed by Hilla Medalia, “Dancing in Jaffa” documents renowned ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine as he takes his program, Dancing Classrooms, back to his city of birth, Jaffa. Teaching ballroom basics to the ethnically mixed population of children, they are forced to confront issues of identity, segregation and racial prejudice as they dance and compete together. The film runs 90 minutes.
“Sugihara”
“Sugihara” is set in the fall of 1939, during Hitler’s murderous wave sweeping through Eastern Europe. The documentary film captures the story of Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who, in the face of the Nazi onslaught, set about saving thousands of lives. But his struggle was not fought on the battlefields or in war rooms. He used his power as a diplomat to rescue fleeing Jewish refugees. The film runs 90 minutes.
PNW’s Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series
PNW’s Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series features events throughout the year. For more information about this and other events in the Odyssey series, contact Judy Jacobi, PNW assistant vice chancellor of University Art Collections and Special Programs, at 219-785-5593.