Jewish Film Festival Returns With Global Selection of Films by Ky N. Nguyen The 14th Washington Jewish Film Festival runs from Dec. 4 to 14 at six leading cultural venues around town: the D.C. Jewish Community Center, Goethe-Forum, Avalon Theatre, AFI Silver Theatre, National Gallery of Art and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Below are previews of selected programs. Opening Night Tango The nonsensical yet winning ìSamy and I,î directed by Eduardo Milewicz, follows the rise of an unlikely television hero during the Argentinean financial crisis in Buenos Aires. Samy Goldstein (Ricardo Darin) is a neurotic, sullen Woody Allen-like writer mistreated by his girlfriend. A chance encounter with the mysterious, sensual Mary (Angie Cepeda) guides him to television stardom, which only compounds his misery. The arresting cinematography and art direction effectively reflect Samy and Maryís contrary viewpoints. ìSamy and I (Samy y Yo)î (Spanish with subtitles; 88 min.) screens with ìBorn in Buenos Airesî (Spanish with subtitles; 40 min.) at the DCJCC on Thu., Dec. 4 at 6:45 p.m. and Fri., Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. The Dec. 4 opening night screening (specially priced at $20) will be followed by an hors díoeuvres, sangria and tango reception at the Embassy of Argentina. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem ìJamesí Journey to Jerusalem,î directed by Raíanan Alexandrowicz, presents an intelligent, alternative perspective to the usual cinematic social and political observations about Israel. A young pilgrim (Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe) ventures from his small African village to the Promised Land, only to be mistaken at the airport for an illegal guest worker and detained. Wily contractor Shimi (Salim Daw) frees the pilgrim and employs him as a house cleaner in Tel Aviv, where he does cheap labor once performed by Palestinians. James gradually grows to become streetwise. ìJamesí Journey to Jerusalem (Massaíot James Beíeretz Hakodesh)î (Hebrew, Zulu, French and English with subtitles; 87 min.) screens at the AFI Silver Theatre on Sat., Dec. 13 at 10 p.m. and the DCJCC on Sun., Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Video Game Champion ìBit by Bit,î directed by Jonathan Metzger, is a humorous account of J, a 25-year-old slacker whose only focus is to become a video game champion. His oppressive Jewish family and long-term gentile girlfriend are getting fed up with his obsession. The final test comes when J accomplishes his lifeís dream of qualifying for the Nintendo World Cup in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, itís at the same time as his familyís Seder. ìBit by Bit (Livet i 8 Bitar)î (Swedish with subtitles; 85 min.) plays at the DCJCC on Wed., Dec. 10 at 9:15 p.m. and Thu., Dec. 11 at 7:45 p.m. Post-War Optimism The visually impressive ìAlmost Peaceful,î directed by Michel Deville, has been compared to the shooting style of Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave. It also recalls the humanism of Jean Renoir in showing how post-war Jewish survivors work to put their lives back together. In 1946 Paris, a small garment shopís Jewish owners and employees form an extended family. While sewing, they tell their survival tales, romantic aspirations and goals for the future. ìAlmost Peaceful (Un Monde Presque Paisible)î (French with subtitles; 93 min.) screens at the DCJCC on Thu., Dec. 11 at 9:25 p.m. and Fri., Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. Local Works in Progress David Weinstein from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) moderates a discussion with D.C.-based filmmakers David Vyorst and Robert Podgursky, who will also present clips from their documentaries about little-known stories. Vyorstís ìThe First Basketî tells of the vital role played by Jews in the Basketball Association of America (the NBAís predecessor). Podgurskyís ìSaved by Deportation,î set during World War II, explains how the Soviet Army deported Polish Jews to work camps east of the Ural Mountains, saving them from the Nazi Holocaust. Works in Progress: Focus on Local Filmmakers takes place at the DCJCC on Sun., Dec. 7 at 11:30 a.m. For more information on the Washington Jewish Film Festival, please call (800) 494-8497 or visit www.wjff.org. Ky N. Nguyen is the film reviewer for The Washington Diplomat.