Film Group

Film: Quartet

A group of retired musicians is living out their twilight years at Beecham House, a home for elderly musicians. Several of the group used to be in a quartet. Every year, the inhabitants of the house come together for an annual concert to celebrate the birth date of Verdi.

Quartet is a gently charming comedy, targeted at an older audience, and stars many great actors including Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Michael Gambon.

Film: "Hannah Arendt"

On Sunday 15th November, the Boomers Film Group held yet another very successful Zoom meeting. The movie we discussed was “Hannah Arendt”, the theme being Arendt’s controversial opinions after she attended the Eichmann trial.

We were fortunate to have as guest speaker Professor Konrad Kwiet, whose expertise in genocide and war crimes added greatly to our knowledge and understanding of issues covered by the movie.

Rabbi Misha provided a very pertinent drash and also technical assistance with the Zoom format.

With over 50 participants attending the meeting, there was interesting and lively discussion.

The film group committee has been encouraged by the enthusiastic support of attendees and will continue to put forward quality movies that both entertain and provoke food for thought and interesting discussions. - John Polgar 

Film: "The Belier Family"

A highly animated, informative and engaging Boomer's Film Group Zoom Meeting was hosted by Rabbi Nicole on Sunday 18 October.

Close to 40 people who previewed the Boomer's Film Group movie "The Belier Family" met to share their responses, comments and personal experiences to the film. The movie essentially invites the audience to consider the role and responsibilities assumed by a hearing member of a closely-knit deaf family.

Rabbi's opening statement invited participants to consider aspects of Torah where inclusiveness is the essence of our tradition.

Sue Morgan who joined us from Melbourne as an invited guest, provided a stimulating and informative 'potted history' of social attitudes to Deafness including the resurgence of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as a current legitimate form of communication. Sue's personal knowledge of issues encountered by Deaf people extended participant discussion well beyond the theme of the movie.

Film: "A Matter Of Life And Death” 

This classic 1946 British film, starring a young David Niven, was way ahead of its time. It combines a love story, fantasy, medical triumph and politics — It's a feel-good movie to be enjoyed by all.

John Polgar introduced the film and lead the discussion. 

Sunday, 21 June 2020

Hosted by Rabbi Nicole, the Boomers Zoomers Film Group held its first virtual meeting on Sunday 21 June to discuss the 2006 Academy Award winning film, The Lives of Others. 28 Zoom participants, accounting for over 40 people, joined us to hear Dr Don Perlgut give a précis and commentary on the film which included referencing some privacy issues still endured by citizens of many countries. Peter Schlesinger spoke about his family’s experiences of having an aunt living in East Berlin in the period covered by the film. And Peter Balint recounted personal experiences of his life under a communist regime in Hungary. This was followed by a lively Q&A session moderated by Rabbi.

The success of this event led to a unanimous vote to continue with Zoom discussions as long as COVID 19 restrictions remain. Our next discussion is scheduled for 19 July when we will discuss the 1946 award winning film A Matter of Life and Death, starring a very young David Niven.

Sunday, 23 February 2020

The movie 'The Reader' was screened at NSTE. Based on a novel by Bernard Schlink, this multi-award winning film stars Kate Winslet, David Kross and Ralph Fiennes. It is an intriguing and fascinating movie that tackles challenging themes including long-kept secrets, guilt and the Holocaust. 

Sunday, 15 December 2019

An enthusiastic group of Boomers came together last week to watch the highly entertaining movie "Cactus Flower". It was agreed that the stars Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hawn were all deserving of the accolades they received.

Film Group Coordinator, Peter Schlesinger, complimented the committee for the dedication and work they put in to bringing interesting films to the Temple and making our functions enjoyable for our audiences.

Sunday, 27 October 2019

We had a successful function on Sunday 27 October, screening 'As Good As It Gets', with 29 attendees, well outstripping the 4 who had registered! After a few technical issues, we got the film going and all up the night was enjoyed by all.

Sunday, 30 June 2019

Full House For The Chosen. 
A record number of regular and new movie-buffs attended the Boomers’ screening of The Chosen held at the Frank Wolf Community Hall on Sunday 30th June. The moving and thought-provoking issues raised by the film provided participants with plenty to talk about as they shared their personal responses to the viewing over a cuppa. Invited guest speaker, Dr Simon Holloway, biblical and Hebrew scholar, currently a member of the Jewish Museum Education Team, provided us with valuable background information on Chaim Potok, author of the Chosen. Simon also interestingly addressed the key differing views raised in the film by the charismatic Chasidic rebbe (Rod Steiger) and his counterpart . Please note, that as with all previously screened films by the Boomers, the Chosen DVD has been donated to the Temple Library for personal borrowing

Sunday, 28 April 2019

About 50 people attended our last film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Human Rights Commissioner, Ed Santow addressed the group on some of the issues that came up in the movie and an interesting discussion and explanation about human rights ensued. Mr Santow received a heartfelt ovation from those present and joined participants for refreshments and a continuation of discussions.

We look forward to our next film The Chosen based on Chaim Potok’s book of the same name. It will be shown on 30 June at 5:00 pm. Please keep the date free and watch for the announcement of the Guest Speaker for that event.