Seattle Jewish Film Festival 2023

The 28th edition of the “Seattle Jewish Film Festival” features in-person and virtual films, guest speakers, and special events, including the screening of two award-winning Spanish films.

The 28th Seattle Jewish Film Festival combines the best in global Jewish and Israeli cinema —in person and virtually, on big and small screens— with community engagement and in-person special events.

Spanish films at SJFF 2023

Alegría

• On Sunday, March 12 at 1 pm (PST). Also available online from March 20-26.
• Directed by Violeta Salama, Spain, 2021, 104 minutes.
• In Spanish and Chelja with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Set in contemporary Melilla, an autonomous, multicultural Spanish city on Africa’s north coast where Jews, Muslims, and Christians converge, Alegría (Cecilia Suárez) is a single mother who has returned to her hometown from Mexico for her niece Yael’s Orthodox Jewish wedding. When she learns that her family is going to stay with her, life gets messy. Alegría doesn’t acknowledge her Jewish heritage. Luckily, the women in her orbit, including a Muslim Moroccan girl who works for her, are there to help. Violeta Salama’s feature film debut sensitively depicts Alegría coming to terms with her roots and the cultural past she rejected —including a daughter living in Israel— as she struggles to reconnect with family and friends.

The replacement

• On Saturday, March 18 at 6:30 pm (PST). Also available online from March 20-26.
• Directed by Óscar Aibar, Spain, 2021, 117 minutes. Original title: El Sustituto.
• In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Based on actual events from 1982, this thriller tells the story of Andrés (Ricardo Gómez), a hard-charging big-city detective sent to the supposedly quiet Spanish coast to replace an officer who died mysteriously. Aided by a cynical old-timer (Pere Ponce) dismissively nicknamed “Columbo” by the other officers, Andrés performs an unauthorized investigation that turns up increasingly disturbing details and leads to the discovery of a group of successful German ex-pats who turn out to be actual Nazis in hiding. When Andrés spends less time with his complaining wife and more time with a bright young doctor, Eva (Vicky Luengo), who can offer insight into the case, his life begins unraveling. Is there anyone in the town he can trust?