Film fest has big themesSubjects, filmmakers present at NH Jewish Film Festival

03/15/12

Nicholas Winton, in complete anonymity, saved the lives of 669 children during the Holocaust. Decades later, after Winton’s wife found out what her husband had done, she brought it to light. In recognition of his efforts, the 104-year-old Winton was ultimately knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

Winton’s story is told in the 2011 film Nicky’s Family, which will air in New Hampshire as part of the fourth annual New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival.

“He did it very quietly, and never said anything to anyone,” said Linda Gerson, co-chairwoman of the festival.

One of the women whom Winton rescued, Eva Paddock, will speak to the audience following an airing of the film on Thursday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at Putnam ArtsTheaters in Merrimack.

For baseball fans, the festival will include a showing of The Yankles, about a professional baseball player who takes over coaching a baseball team of Orthodox yeshiva students. The festival will finish at Red River Theatres in Concord following the airing of The Yankles with a baseball wrap party with hot dogs, peanuts and crackerjacks. The film will air on Sunday, March 25, at 4 p.m. at Red River.

The film Restoration, which will play in Merrimack at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, at Cinemagic in Merrimack, was nominated for several awards by the Israeli Film Academy.

My Brother’s Keeper is about the 4,400 Jewish and Christian volunteers who joined the fight to make sure Israel became a state, Gerson said. The film will air on Tuesday,