By Karen Rubin

The Gold Coast International Film Festival opened with a film that was particularly – and sadly – relevant: “June Zero,” a film directed and co-written by Jake Paltrow, is set around the 1961 trial and execution of Adolph Eichmann, a major architect of the Holocaust. The subject is revisited with a gripping new perspective – through three individuals only tangentially connected: Eichmann’s Jewish Moroccan prison guard, an Israeli police investigator who is a Holocaust survivor and a precocious 13-year old Libyan immigrant to Israel. The overriding message is about the importance of testimony, of making even the most horrific tragedies a living history, that “never forget” has real meaning. And that’s the way this film must be appreciated in light of the day’s headlines.” June Zero” is producer Ron Goldman’s first venture into film, but features a portrayal of his now 98-year old father’s real-life story as a Holocaust survivor and police investigator during the Eichmann trial. Goldman also has family connections to Great Neck and Manhasset.

Michael Glickman, a member of the Gold Coast Arts Center board, was formerly the President & CEO of The Museum of Jewish Heritage, which organized a traveling exhibition focused on Adolph Eichmann, considered the mastermind behind the Final Solution to the Jewish Problem, and the mass deportation and systematic murder of Jews during the Holocaust. The exhibit, “Operation Finale,” focused on the saga of Eichmann’s capture and trial. Operation Finale was the code name given by the Mossad to the mission of finding and capturing Eichmann after the Holocaust. The film, “June Zero”, picks up on the events just after, when Eichmann is jailed in prison, has just been sentenced, his appeal denied, and awaiting execution. To this day, Eichmann is the only person to ever be sentenced to execution by the State of Israel. 

“Arts connect us to what is happening in the world around us. For those of us who are heartbroken by what has happened, we have to continue to tell these stories – to do so in meaningful ways to help show the resilience of the Jewish People, and people in general,” Glickman told the audience.

An important new free event has been added on October 30 that reflects the festival’s long-running commitment to including Jewish-themed films among its international programming takes on a new relevance this year following the recent terrorist attacks on Israel. “Community & Conversation — A Special Evening in Support of Israel,” features Avraham Melamed, an Israeli survivor of the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre, Ambassador Ido Aharoni, israel’s former Consul-General, New York and the Tri-State area, and Jon Loew, producer of the Netflix Series, Spy Ops, will take place on Monday, October 30 at 7:30 at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, 5 Old Mill Road, Great Neck (Advance reservations required; no entry without ticket. Security will be strictly enforced and no bags will be permitted.) RSVP HERE

Caroline Sorokoff, Festival Director, opened the event saying, that the Gold Coast International Film Festival “is a celebration of art, of community” and that film-goers have come from 50 zip codes.

There is still time to enjoy these events, several which also feature Q&As with the filmmakers:

DRIVING MADELEINE (Thursday, October 19 – 7pm): Rediscover the power of the kindness of strangers in Director Christian Carion’s latest cheerful, heart-warmer, Driving Madeleine. When taxi driver Charles (Dany Boon) reluctantly takes on an early morning booking, he begins to regret his decision even more so when a cantankerous old woman, Madeleine (Line Renaud) is waiting begrudgingly at the pickup point. Despite his own personal grievances, Charles begins to realize that his problems are nowhere near as hard-pressing as his clients. At the age of 92, she must bow to the pressure of family and doctors, waiting to be forced into an assisted living facility. Described by Renaud, as “the most beautiful film of my life,” at 94, the Grande Dame of French entertainment is luminous in her role as Madeleine, delivering a sharp and deeply sincere performance in a retelling of a life truly well lived. In Driving Madeleine, watch the duo’s staggering chemistry, as the power of friendship is brought to life on screen. The film was the official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival; Palm Springs International Film Festival.

THE NANA PROJECT (Tuesday, October 24) is a warm and delightful mockumentary starring Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King, Hustlers), Nolan Gould (Modern Family) and Will Peltz (The List). The screening features a Q&A with Director ROBIN GIVENS and Producer CARL MOELLENBERG. (TICKETS)

MATCHMAKING (Wednesday, October 25) is an endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic, Romeo and Juliet-like saga (sans the tragedy!) of two young, eligible ultra-Orthodox singles looking for a match. WINNER: Audience Award at the Miami Jewish Film Festival.

IT AIN’T OVER (October 26) is the story of Yogi Berra, the beloved New York Yankees legend who became famous for his championship rings and funny proverbs, told by friends, family and former players. The screening features a Q&A with family members Larry and Lindsay Berra.

All in-person films are being screened at Manhasset Cinemas, 430 Plandome Road, Manhasset.

The festival also features several free events, but advance reservations are required.

These include a virtual screening of BELOW THE BELT (October 19-22), a moving and captivating documentary that follows a diverse selection of women with endometriosis as they navigate their diagnosis within their individual circumstances and ages including personal symptoms, impact on their relationships, and navigating their everyday lives. To reserve a ticket you must RSVP, and a link and password for the film will be emailed to you. This screening includes a Q&A with distinguished experts from the Katz Institute for Women’s Health, Northwell Health.(RSVP)

Also free is the immensely popular Great Shorts series, a  collection of short films that include narratives and documentaries; comedies and dramas; true stories and fantasies curated by Alexandra Gil: 

GREAT SHORTS: SERIES I, Friday, October 20, 7 pm, Port Washington Library – RSVP HERE and Sunday, October 22, 2pm, Great Neck Public Library – RSVP HERE (This showing includes a post-screening Q&A with some of the filmmakers.)

GREAT SHORTS: SERIES II, Tuesday, October 24 – 2pm, Great Neck Public Library – RSVP HERE; Wednesday, October 25 – 2pm, Port Washington Library – RSVP HERE.

Also, the festival offers two sets of free Family Shorts at the Great Neck Library (Tuesday, Nov. 7, 11 am, details), and at the Port Washington Public Library (Friday, Nov 10, 3 pm, details).

Also, the Gold Coast Arts Center, which organizes the film festival, is offering a Film Screening & Meet-the-Artist Reception coinciding with the opening of an exhibit,  “DAN WELDEN 101: Lasting Impressions”. The event begins at 3 pm with a screening of the film “Lasting Impressions,” an intimate journey through the life & work of world-renowned printmaker, painter, innovator and teacher, Dan Welden, with Q&A, followed at 4pm with the Art Exhibit Opening Reception at Gold Coast Arts Gallery, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck. This exhibit, curated by Gold Coast Arts Gallery Director Jude Amsel, will be on display from October 22 – December 3, 2023. (This is a free event made possible with support of the Great Neck Business Improvement District.)

In light of the outbreak of violence in Israel, a few of the films and events are being postponed but will be rescheduled. These include the French film, “New Beginnings,” and “A Revolution on Canvas,” which is a documentary about Iranian artist Nickzad Nodjoumi.  Also, the special event, GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN, a fun 80’s themed evening with a screening of the outrageous ’80s comedy hit, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt and Shannen Doherty along with pre-show music, swag bags is being rescheduled.

SEE ALL GCIFF 2023 FILM & EVENTS

Gold Coast Arts is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving the Long Island and greater New York community for over 25 years and dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts through education, exhibition, performance and outreach. Gold Coast Arts Center,  113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11021, info@goldcoastarts.org, goldcoastarts.org.