Tonight I was thrilled to cover the Opening Night Gala, complete with a celebrity-packed Red Carpet, at the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival. The Red Carpet started at 7:30, and you can see my photos on my Flickr account here: flickr.com/joybennett. After the Red Carpet, they screened the film Putzel, full review below. Then there was a question and answer session with the filmmakers, followed by delicious cake from Hansen Cakes. Overall, a wonderfully exciting evening! Seats are still available, for more information and tickets visit lajfilmfest.org.

This woman is amazing, she just had a baby two months ago, and is the Director of a major Los Angeles film festival. Wow!
PUTZEL
Directed by Jason Chaet
Produced by Allegra Cohen
Starring Jack Carpenter, Melanie Lynskey, Susie Essman, John Pankow
Los Angeles Premiere at LA Jewish Film Festival June 1, 2013
This light, heartwarming, and funny film made on a shoestring is a warm reminder of why we love New York. A young man, hoping to take over his uncle’s lox store, is thwarted by the uncle’s love life. This fellow has an irrational fear of being outside the confines of the Manhattan’s Upper West Side. A salmon costume, an employee with a lox fetish, balloons and a dismal basement apartment all combine for a mad-cap romp through the Upper West Side. The film is reminiscent of the light-hearted comedies of the 50’s. If you love New York and Jewish humor, you’ll love this one. You can almost taste the fresh bagels, lox and cream cheese on a Sunday morning, but perhaps I’m just hungry!
Directed by Jason Chaet
Produced by Allegra Cohen
Starring Jack Carpenter, Melanie Lynskey, Susie Essman, John Pankow
Los Angeles Premiere at LA Jewish Film Festival June 1, 2013
This light, heartwarming, and funny film made on a shoestring is a warm reminder of why we love New York. A young man, hoping to take over his uncle’s lox store, is thwarted by the uncle’s love life. This fellow has an irrational fear of being outside the confines of the Manhattan’s Upper West Side. A salmon costume, an employee with a lox fetish, balloons and a dismal basement apartment all combine for a mad-cap romp through the Upper West Side. The film is reminiscent of the light-hearted comedies of the 50’s. If you love New York and Jewish humor, you’ll love this one. You can almost taste the fresh bagels, lox and cream cheese on a Sunday morning, but perhaps I’m just hungry!
Interview with Jason Chaet, Director of Putzel
June 1, 2013
Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
I had a few moments to speak directly with Jason Chaet, Director of Putzel after the Red Carpet on Opening Night of the film festival. He is a resident of New York, and has been involved with theatre and film for many years. This is his first major feature film. He said it was a project that was a labor of love, a story he and his team badly wanted to tell.
Later on in the question and answer session, it was revealed that the movie's budget was under $300,000, which is amazing given the expenses of film production and the high quality of the outcome.
Putzel was a perfect fit for the opening night of the film festival, and also features Susie Essman from the hit TV show, Curb your Enthusiasm. She is an effortlessly funny lady.
June 1, 2013
Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
I had a few moments to speak directly with Jason Chaet, Director of Putzel after the Red Carpet on Opening Night of the film festival. He is a resident of New York, and has been involved with theatre and film for many years. This is his first major feature film. He said it was a project that was a labor of love, a story he and his team badly wanted to tell.
Later on in the question and answer session, it was revealed that the movie's budget was under $300,000, which is amazing given the expenses of film production and the high quality of the outcome.
Putzel was a perfect fit for the opening night of the film festival, and also features Susie Essman from the hit TV show, Curb your Enthusiasm. She is an effortlessly funny lady.