• By Mabel Pais

CINEMATTERS ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL

‘Cinematters,’ the annual film festival also referred to ‘The NY Social Justice Film Festival’ presents impactful films that engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. The 2023 festival takes place, January 16 and 18 at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. The program explores themes of inequality, injustice, and social responsibility. Through films, special events, and conversations, the fest aims to inspire participants to reflect and take action in order to create a community of civic-minded individuals eager to make a collective change.

‘Cinematters’ presents impactful films with a goal to engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society in the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy. Learn more at mmjccm.org/arts-film/film/cinematters.

Jan 16 at 4pm: STRANGER AT THE GATE

‘Stranger at the Gate’ is on the Oscar shortlist for Documentary Short Film

Dir: Joshua Seftel l USA l 2021 l 30m

After 25 years of service, U.S. Marine Mac McKinney returns home to Indiana filled with an all-consuming rage toward the people he had been fighting against. But his plan takes an unexpected turn.

Screening followed by Q+A with director Joshua Seftel, producer Suzanne Hillinger, film subject Richard “Mac” McKinney, and Pam Haas, Executive Director of ‘Facing History and Ourselves.’

Jan 16 at 5:30pm: BLACK MOTHERS LOVE & RESIST

Dir: Débora Souza Silva l USA l 2022 l 1h 43m l NY Premiere

Wanda Johnson and Angela Williams, mothers of young Black men victimized by police brutality, come together and build a network of community-led support, mutual aid, and healing. Radical empathy fuels this timely exposé.

Screening followed by Q+A with film subject Wanda Johnson and producer Loi Ameera Almeron.

Jan 18 at 7pm: REPAIRING THE WORLD: STORIES FROM THE TREE OF LIFE

Dir: Patrice O’Neill l USA l 2022 l 1h 20m

‘Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life’ documents a community’s powerful and inspiring response to hate in the aftermath of the deadliest anti-semitic attack in U.S. history on October 27, 2018 at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Through the voices of survivors, family members, diverse Pittsburgh residents, and leaders, the film shows the powerful display of unity in a moment of crisis, the resilience of a vibrant city, and a community working together to understand what it means to be “Stronger than Hate.”

Screening followed by Q+A with director Patrice O’Neill and Hassan Naveed, Executive Director, NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes.

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BOOKS FEST LAUNCHES AT JCC

• By Mabel Pais

Author Jai Chakrabarti among others 

‘Books That Changed My Life’ Festival, the first of its kind, opened on January 5, and runs through Tuesday, February 28 at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (MMJCCM).

The two-month long celebration of literature and culture features events inspired by or adapted from beloved literary works, including author conversations, weekly storytime, a gallery exhibit, musical, theatrical and film events, new 76West podcast episodes, and more. The festival will also feature the announcement of Jewish Book Council’s 72nd National Jewish Book Awards live from the Books That Changed My Life Pop-Up Library in the MMJCCM lobby. ‘Books That Changed My Life’ is a new initiative, hosted by the JCC’s Lambert Center for Arts + Ideas, that celebrates the transformational role books play in our lives. Cozy up with a book from the pop-up library in The Laurie M. Tisch Gallery and attend a conversation with notable minds on the topic of their most impactful reads. The Jewish people are often described as “people of the book,” and in this interactive celebration of all types of reads, the MMJCCM will honor the ways in which storytelling, documenting, and exploring other worlds allow all of us to live more connected and meaningful lives. Additional information is available at book-festival.mmjccm.org.

The MMJCCM is partnering with Jewish Book Council on the festival, which will include the announcement of the 72nd National Jewish Book Awards. This first ever live stream announcement of the awards will take place from the pop-up library in the MMJCCM lobby on Wednesday, January 18 at 8:45 AM.

Sun, Jan 15 at 1pm: ‘WARRIORS DON’T CRY’ (Theatrical Experience)

Appropriate for ages 6–12.

Inspired by Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals’s Little Rock Nine memoir, ‘Warriors Don’t Cry,’ this production is a catalyst for deeper discussion about social responsibility, civil discourse, social media, and community engagement.

Tue, Jan 17, 7 pm:  ‘A WOMAN’S LIFE IS A HUMAN LIFE’

Cynthia Nixon in Conversation with Author Felicia Kornbluh

Less than a week before the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Cynthia Nixon sits down with author and historian Felicia Kornbluh to discuss ‘A Woman’s Life Is a Human Life.’ Kornbluh’s book is an urgent account of the movements that transformed the politics of reproductive rights: the fight to decriminalize abortion and the campaign against sterilization abuse, at a time when sterilization was disproportionately proposed as birth control to Black, Latinx, and poor women. The book addresses how grassroots action overcame the odds—and how it might work today.

Thu, Jan 19, 7 pm: ‘THE YEAR OF LIVING BIBLICALLY’

Author A.J. Jacobs in Conversation with Freakonomics’ Stephen J. Dubner

Freakonomics is a groundbreaking and bestselling book that changed the life of prolific author A.J. Jacobs (The Puzzler). A.J. sits down with author, journalist, and podcast host Stephen J. Dubner in a conversation inspired by his transformative 2005 book.

Wed, Jan 25, 7 pm: ‘THIS TIME TOMORROW’

Author Emma Straub in Conversation with Vanessa Kroll Bennett

After reading Emma Straub’s ‘This Time Tomorrow,’ podcast host and writer Vanessa Kroll Bennett was immediately moved to write a blog post (mailchi.mp/dynamogirl/the-intersection-of-regret-and-hope?e=fb57859f9e) about the book to share with her community. Join Vanessa and Emma as they talk about themes of youth and the magic of the Upper West Side in a conversation inspired by ‘This Time Tomorrow.’

Tues, Jan 31, 7pm: ‘Butterfly in the Sky’ Film Screening

(USA, 2022, 87 min)

Tribeca Film Festival 2022 Official Selection

This wonderfully nostalgic look back at the beloved children’s show ‘Reading Rainbow,’ explores its origin story and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading through television. For 25 years, the series insisted on having kids speak to kids about their favorite stories, and it introduced the world to one of the most adored television hosts of all time, LeVar Burton. Burton reached millions of children of every background through the wonder of books — delving behind the pages to the people, places, and things each story explored. Screening followed by Q+A with Steve Horelick, composer of the iconic Reading Rainbow theme song, “Butterfly in the Sky.”

(February events to feature in next issue)

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality)