Two films from Israel and another with an Israeli theme are included in the lineup of the 2011 Mill Valley Film Festival: “Dolphin Boy,” “Restoration” and “Deaf Jam.” The 11-day festival begins Thursday, Oct. 6 and will run at seven theaters in and around Mill Valley.
The Israeli documentary “Dolphin Boy” tells the story of an Arab Israeli teenager severely damaged physically and psychologically after a beating. His psychiatrist tried conventional treatment to no avail. As a last resort, the boy is sent to Eilat to mingle with dolphins, hoping interaction with the animals would help. The 72-minute film (in Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles) screens Oct. 9 in Mill Valley (Sequoia Theatre) and Oct. 10 in San Rafael (Smith Rafael Film Center). Filmmakers and co-directors Dani Menkin and Yonatan Nir are scheduled to attend both screenings.
“Restoration” is a complex character-driven drama about a family business struggling to stay afloat. Presented in association with the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, the 105-minute Israeli film (in Hebrew with English subtitles) screens Oct. 14 at the Sequoia Theatre.
“Deaf Jam” is a U.S. film about a deaf Israeli immigrant who becomes a sign language poet, leading to a poetry-slam collaboration with a hearing Palestinian poet. In American Sign Language (with subtitles) and English, the 70-minute film screens Oct. 13 at the Smith Rafael Film Center and Oct. 15 at the Sequoia Theatre. Director Judy Lieff is scheduled to attend both screenings.
For show times, tickets and information, visit www.mvff.com.