Film: ALEGRÍA

Violeta Salama | Narrative Comedy/Drama | Spain | 2021 | Spanish, Chelja w/English subtitles | 104m | PG

The North African city of Melilla—where Jews, Muslims, and Christians converge—is the unique backdrop for this moving, comedic family drama where Alegría must face her Jewish family and rejected heritage during her niece’s Orthodox wedding.

Showing with short film SONGS OF THE SEPHARDIM IN IZMIR.

Special Event: Sephardic Spotlight + “Echar lashon”

At 12:55, Prof. Canan Bolel of  UW Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures will briefly introduce Alegría and Songs of the Sephardim in Izmir. After the film ends around 3:10, join us outside the theater to “echar lashon”, the Sephardic version of schmoozing including coffee, tea, and biscochos!

In-Person Showtime: March 12 | AMC | 1 pm • Streaming Window: March 20-26

Short Film: SONGS OF THE SEPHARDIM IN IZMIR

Brooke Saias, Anna Clare Spelman | Short Documentary | Turkey | 2022 | English and Turkish, Ladino w/Engish subtitles | 16m

In Izmir, an ancient Turkish city rich with religious history and culture, Ceni grew up hearing Ladino at home, but the language wasn’t passed down. Through music and song, Ceni finds a deep connection with her heritage and works to preserve Ladino—the endangered language of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain—for future generations.

To browse the rest of the films offered this year at SJFF, check out the Films page. For all things SJFF, including FAQs, ticket procurement, etc., check out the event program page and watch the event trailer here.

This screening is made possible by:

Film Sponsors:
Maureen and Joel Benoliel
Celeste and David Rind, in memory of Bernice Rind ^z”l
Samis Foundation

Catering Sponsors: Dancing Goats Coffee, Sholom Tea

Community Partners:

• Seattle Sephardic Network
• Sephardic Studies Program of the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Washington
• Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of Washington