Skirball Cultural Center presents recent films exploring Latin Jewish Life in Film - The Year My Parents Went on Vacation June 4, 2009

LOS ANGELES - The Skirball Cultural Center presents Latin Jewish Life in Film, featuring screenings of three thought-provoking recent films— from Mexico, the dramatic comedy My Mexican Shivah (Morirse Está en Hebreo, 2007); from Brazil, the touching coming-of-age story The Year My Parents Went on Vacation (O Ano Em Que Meus Pais Saírem de Férias, 2008); and from Argentina, the deeply personal documentary Our Disappeared (Nuestros Desaparecidos, 2008). After the screening of Our Disappeared, on Sunday, June 14, Inés Kuperschmit, one of the film’s subjects, will share insights into the film and talk about her life experiences.

Latin Jewish Life in Film is presented as part of the Skirball’s ongoing Viva! initiative, exploring the connections between Jewish and Latin American cultures through lectures, conversations, and performing, visual, and media arts.

“Film has become an increasingly important medium for Jewish artists in Latin America to express themselves,” notes Jordan Peimer, Skirball Director of Programs. “We’re excited to present three examples of contemporary Latin cinema. Each film gives voice to a unique and fascinating aspect of the Jewish experience in Latin America, where the encounter between tradition and contemporary culture produces three very different Jewish stories”

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation - O Ano Em Que Meus Pais Sairam de Ferias - Set in Brazil during the 1970 World Cup, this poignant coming-of-age story thrusts twelve-year-old Mauro (Michel Joelsas) into a maelstrom of political and personal upheaval. When his left-wing parents are forced underground, Mauro is left in the care of his Jewish grandfather’s neighbor (Germano Hauit) in São Paulo and forced to create an ersatz family from the diverse, colorful population of his new neighborhood. (Brazil, 2008, 105 min. Rated PG. In Portuguese with English subtitles.)

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