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Bay City News Service
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The Bay Area is a hub of artistic expression, attracting artists, writers and musicians from around the globe to live, work and create. We highlight some of the offerings here.
By the Artful Observer
Bay City News Foundation
A passport to everywhere: Film festivals have grown with such ferocity that they are now like Hallmark holidays: There's seemingly one for every occasion, and many more than you can hope to keep track of. This weekend, for instance, marks the start of the acclaimed San Francisco International Film Festival (details and schedule at sffilm.org). But we're here to tell you about another film fest that kicks off this weekend -- one that often flies under the radar but that features some utterly rewarding gems. The East Bay International Jewish Film Festival, kicking off Saturday, has as its motto: "See a film -- see the world." And that has never seemed so desirable as at a time when traveling is difficult for most of us. The fest features works from Israel, Italy, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States, and covers everything from the bond between a father and his autistic son ("Here We Are," streaming April 14-15); the protracted battle to get homosexuality dropped from the American Psychiatric Association's list of mental disorders ("Cured," streaming April 18-20); a pair of Norwegian teens left on their own when their parents are arrested for resisting the Nazi occupation ("The Crossing," streaming April 11-14); and a backstage look at Broadway featuring interviews with Helen Mirren, Viola Davis, Mandy Patinkin and many more ("On Broadway," streaming April 18-20). The event runs Saturday through April 23; screenings are $8 per household. Go to https://eastbayjewishfilm.eventive.org.