Dear Carmel Jewish Film Festival Supporters and Fans,
We are delighted to bring you the film Shoelaces, one of the films we were unable to show during our March festival. Starting August 4 through August 7, 2020, you will be able to watch the film in your home through a special link we will send you. Tickets are available now. We will honor all tickets previously purchased for this film. Sponsors of the festival may choose this film as one of their benefits if you did not use all your free tickets during the March 2020 festival.
Simply click on this link to purchase your ticket and receive a link to the film:
TICKETS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
On August 9 at 10:00 a.m, the film's director, Jacob Goldwasser, will participate in a live ZOOM
Q & A from Israel. The Q & A is included in the price of your ticket. A Zoom link will be sent to you separately by August 9.
The Virtual Cinema release is meant to bring you new and exciting films and also support our organization until we can be together again.
Here are some details about the film:
SHOELACES
A Film by Jacob Goldwasser
Narrative Comedy / Israel / 2018 / PG
Director: Jacob Goldwasser
Running Time: 90 minutes
Hebrew and English with subtitles
About the Film
Shoelaces tells the story of a complicated relationship between an aging father and his special-needs son, whom he abandoned while he was still a young boy. Reuben's kidneys are failing, and his son Gadi wants to donate one of his own kidneys to help save his father's life. However, the transplant committee objects to the procedure, claiming that Reuben, acting as Gadi's sole legal guardian, does not have the right to authorize such an invasive procedure. Gadi, who recently lost his mother, is afraid of losing his father as well. He feels he finally has the chance to do something meaningful; to become a man and stand on his own. He's furious with the committee's decision and sets out to fight for his right to save his father's life. Through the film's portrayal of a relationship full of love, rejection, and co-dependency, it manages to shed some light and question the importance of human life, human connection, and if life is even possible without either one of them.
Awards
2019 Atlanta JFF – Audience award for Best Narrative
2018 Israeli Film & TV Academy Nominations – Best Film; Best Actor (Nevo Kimchi); Best Supporting Actor (Dov Glickman); Best Director (Jacob Goldwasser), Best Editing, Best Music, Best Cinematography
2019 Seattle JFF – Audience choice award for Best Narrative Feature
Director's Statement
About ten years ago I heard the true story of an elderly father suffering from congestive kidney failure and his mentally retarded son who insisted on donating a kidney. One might think that as the father of a son with special needs this subject would be appropriate for me to address. But the fact is, I felt an aversion to dealing with such a loaded subject. I claimed that in my films I prefer to address “other people’s problems” and avoid dealing artistically with issues from my own world, which is also loaded and complex.
In the end, years later, when I overcame my concerns and realized that the film could help bring about a change in the public’s perception of the community of people with special needs. I realized I had to create an accurate, justified character who is, at the same time, human, charming and full of optimism and humor.
I dove into the subject, recruiting my years-long associate, screenwriter Haim Marin, for the effort.
The plotline, Inspired by a true story which is far from mine and my son’s, helped us gain perspective and address the screenplay professionally/cinematically. We focused on the complex relationship between Reuben and his son, which grew from a state of total alienation into deep love, and we created an optimistic film despite its difficult content.
Disabled characters usually make audiences feel pity and empathy for these lamentable people. In “Laces” we strove to rise above pity and inspire love, appreciation, even admiration for the film’s protagonist who manages to “grow wisdom” and overcome obstacles through willpower, heartfelt wisdom and faith in his righteousness.
ABOUT CJFF
The Carmel Jewish Film Festival began celebrating its 10th year in March 2020 but had to shut down due to the COVID pandemic. We hope to continue to interact with our audience by offering periodic virtual events. Through the power and artistry of cinema, the festival seeks to engage the greater community in meaningful dialogue on important issues of our day. While informed by a uniquely Jewish sensibility, our films communicate themes and messages with universal appeal to a wide audience drawn from the Monterey area and beyond. Our festival's accompanying programs further engage the mind and heart through discussion and social interaction. We hope that our festival will help bridge cultural and religious differences and contribute to solidarity and peace.
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