Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. – “Portrait of Wally”
Westdale Theatre 1014 King Street West, Hamilton
Directed by Andrew Shea 2011 – 90 min. – USA
This fascinating documentary traces the ownership of the famous painting–from Schiele’s gesture of affection toward his young lover; to the theft of the painting from Lea Bondi, a Jewish art dealer fleeing Vienna for her life; to the post-war confusion and subterfuge that evoke The Third Man; to the surprise resurfacing of “Wally” at the MOMA. Filmmaker Andrew Shea follows the 13-year battle that ensues as the family attempts to restore “Wally” to its rightful owner.
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Monday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. – The Forgotten Genocide: The Process of Exclusion and Persecution of Roma and Sinti in Past and Present.
Hamilton Spectator Auditorium, 44 Frid Street, Hamilton
A symposium and discussion sponsored by the Hamilton Jewish Federation Holocaust Education Committee, the United Roma of Hamilton, and the Hamilton Police Service with a lecture by Karen Polak (Anne Frank House, International Department). A historian, pedagogue, frequently published author and guest lecturer, Ms. Polak has detailed expertise in the area of teaching the Holocaust in contemporary societies. A member of the Dutch delegation to the Task Force International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Research and Remembrance (ITF), she serves on the education committee and also chairs the subcommittee on the Roma genocide. Introduction by Susan Clairmont, national award-winning columnist,The Hamilton Spectator. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.
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Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. – “The Children of Chabannes”
Adas Israel Synagogue, 125 Cline South
A magical World War II tale of resilence and love. “The Children of Chabannes” reveals the previously untold story of how the people in a tiny village in unoccupied France chose action over indifference to save the lives of 400 Jewish refugee children. Through accounts by the extraordinary teachers who taught and loved these children, this lyrical and moving film shows the remarkable efforts made by the citizens of Chabannes, who risked their lives and livelihoods to protect those children, simply because they felt it was the right thing to do. Local Holocaust survivors (hidden children) will share their experiences following the film.