Films with Special Guests

In 1941, Nazi soldiers were slaughtering Eastern European Jews by the thousands. Three brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Asael (Jamie Bell), manage to escape and take refuge in the forest where they played in childhood. Seeking a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones, the brothers turn their daily struggle for survival into a battle against the Nazis. As news of their exploits spreads, others join the fray, willing to risk their lives for even brief freedom. A Q&A follows the film with Alan Bell, moderated by Bedford New Canaan Magazine's Casey Kaplan.

Join producer (and Bedford resident) Kevin Walsh for the inside story on the making of this delightful comedy by Academy-Award winning directors/writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, and other stories from his career. THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming of age story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finally find his place in the world - all during a summer he will never forget.

Thirty-something Isabelle "Izzy" Grossman (Amy Irving) spends her time going from her tiny, solitary West Side apartment to that of her grandmother (Reizl Bozyk) on the Lower East Side. In between, Izzy builds a glowing reputation at the swank bookstore where she works. While her grandmother plots to find her a romantic match, Izzy is courted by a married, worldly author, Anton (Jeroen Krabbé), yet can't seem to shake the down-to-earth appeal of Sam (Peter Riegert), a pickle vendor. A Q&A follows the film with actor Peter Riegert.

Over six decades, photographer Steve Schapiro bore witness to some of the most significant social and cultural moments in modern American history such as the civil rights movement, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Shot shortly before his passing by filmmaker Maura Smith, Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere is a loving tribute to a man who was the quintessential “fly on the wall,” waiting for moments to unfold and capturing them with a naturalism and skill that’s nothing short of dazzling. A Q&A with Maura Smith follows the film.

Join Emmy Award winning screenwriter Adam Mazer in discussion before the film. In 1990, Dr. Jack Kevorkian astonished the world as he took the end of life debate head-on with his "Mercy Medicine" and performed his first assisted suicide. Starring Oscar and Emmy winner Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack is the story of one man's obsession with challenging the rules by which we live and die - and his stubborn, heartfelt insistence on breaking the law to do so. Also starring Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, Danny Huston, Emmy winner Brenda Vaccaro and Emmy winner John Goodman. The movie received 15 Emmy nominations, with Al Pacino winning the Best Actor Emmy as well as a Golden Globe.

An interfaith engaged couple plans a Shabbat dinner for their parents' first meeting. An unexpected death interrupts their plans. A Q&A follows the film with actor John Bedford Lloyd.

After a memorable introduction at a party, aspiring songwriter Hannah (Juno Temple) falls under the spell of talented record producer Theo Ross (Simon Pegg). As they become fast friends and begin to collaborate, Hannah discovers that Theo is a schizophrenic who refuses to take his medication. As Hannah’s career begins to take off, Theo’s condition worsens, and he lashes out at friends trying to help him. Undeterred, Hannah undertakes the difficult task of helping Theo salvage his place in the unforgiving Los Angeles music industry while at the same time getting him into treatment. The numerous obstacles thrown in her way reveal the disturbing inadequacies of mental health care in America. A discussion on mental health awareness follows the film, led by Dr. Robert Laitman and producer Olga Kagan.  Panelists to be announced.