Short film program

This short film program consists of a selection of five short films and is introduced by Charley Spaan.

The program takes us on a journey through Jewish life, where freedom and captivity, trauma and resilience, curiosity and innovation, life and death converge in an endless cycle of contrasts, marked by the milestones of a human life.

Papillon

Florence Miailhe | 2024 | Dutch premiere |15 min | animation

A man swims in the sea and reminisces about his past. As the water washes over him, his memories resurface. The water connects all the memories; some are happy, some glorious, others traumatic. This story is about his final swim.

Papillon is the latest film from renowned animator Florence Miailhe and premiered a few weeks ago at the Berlinale, where it won the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film.

Florence Miailhe’s animated film The Crossing will be screened tonight, May 4, at 9:00 pm as ‘Film after the Dam’.

Ritual in Transfigured Time

Maya Deren | 1946 | 15 min | experimental silent short film | screened on 16mm

Did choreography for the camera exist before Deren created this?

The film unfolds like a dance. The movements invite us to move with them, to let go of the familiar and surrender ourselves to many strange partners.

This is a unique opportunity to see this classic experimental short film on the big screen and in 16mm.

Gefilte

Rachel Fleit | 2018 | 11 min | documentary

Each year, the Hermelin family from Detroit gathers to celebrate Passover, the liberation of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt. They eat gefilte fish, prepared weeks in advance by experienced family members. The younger generations discuss it in anticipation, and Uncle Brian evaluates it at the family table as if it were a wine tasting.

Les Racines de l’Eau (The Roots of Water)

Sarah Lederman | 2020 | 19 min | documentary

Two young Jewish women meet and discover they are on the same quest. Both are searching for their Jewish identity through ancient rituals.

Winner of Best Short Film at the UK Jewish Film Festival, the FFO Film Festival Oostende, and for Best Cinematography at CUT TO GHENT (2021).

Singing in Oblivion

Eve Heller | 2021 | 13 min | experimental short film

In honor of refugees from the past, present, and future, who face the loss of life, loved ones, language, and homeland. With empathy for their children and thanks to all who offer compassion and shelter. – Eve Heller

A magnificent visual and musical poem, both timeless and delicately in sync with our shattered reality. —Nicole Brenez

Oy Vey Memorial Ritual

After the screening, we invite you to participate in the Oy Vey Memorial Ritual in the foyer (7:30 pm). Together, we create a collective Jewish-led ritual to honor the dead, celebrate their lives, and explore remembrance as renewal in the present.

Before reflecting on what we have lost, this short film program looks at what will always help us survive.

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