In April, the Maine Jewish Film Festival was delighted to present Resistance: They Fought Back, which tells the largely unknown and incredibly courageous story of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. The first presentation was held on Sunday, May 5, at 1:45 pm, in partnership with the Portland Museum of Art, and the second presentation was Tuesday, April 16, at 7:00 pm, in partnership with the University of Maine.

While the Germans documented many aspects of their war against the Jews, they obliterated all mentions of Jewish resistance. Now, the powerful vision of Emmy Award-winning director/producer Paula S. Apsell, her co-director Kirk Wolfinger, and writer Owen Palmquist shows us how strongly and shrewdly Jews did indeed fight back. This important documentary was born when Ms. Apsell visited with Holocaust scholar and archeologist Richard Freund from Christopher Newport University. When she asked why so many heroic attempts at Jewish resistance were unknown to the general public, Professor Freund replied, “Because you haven’t made the film yet.” Now it is made…and Ms. Aspell’s film is a vital new addition to the archive of remembrance.

On Sunday, April 14th, 2024, at 2 p.m, the Maine Jewish Film Festival, in partnership with The Hill Arts, was thrilled to present the film “Born in Chicago.” The documentary was followed by a concert with The Blues Prophets.

Directed by Bob Sarles and John Anderson, “Born In Chicago”, a Ravin’ Film presented by Shout! Studios, is a soulful documentary that chronicles a uniquely musical passing of the torch. It’s the story of first-generation blues performers who had made their way to Chicago from the Mississippi Delta and their ardent and unexpected followers. The Blues Prophets, a Maine-based ensemble, introduced many local patrons to the music. The members are Doug Wainoris, guitar/vocals. DW Gill, harmonica/vocals. Jeffrey Davison, drums/vocals. Jamie Isaacson, piano. Jack Tukey, bass guitar. The band traveled to the blues bars of Chicago, played many stages in New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Boston, and throughout Maine/New England, honing their craft and becoming an institution.