One of two in-person encore screenings, Walla Walla’s showing of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival 2023 lineup explores how grief is observed, celebrated, and sanctified.
“Spiritually and culturally, we have many ways to mourn and bless the dead. Some follow prescribed customs; others form new traditions with the passing of loved ones. The Mourner’s Kaddish, the Jewish prayer recited in honor of the deceased, never mentions death or dying but instead proclaims the greatness of G-d. It encourages reciters not to wallow in grief or ignore the impact of loss altogether. The word kaddish means sanctification in Aramaic, similar to the Hebrew word kadosh, or holy. This program of short films examines the metaphorical progression and three stages of Jewish mourning rituals—from Aninut to Shiva to Sheloshim—noting the passing of parents, grandparents, neighbors, strangers, and even a beached whale. Curated together, these beautiful lamentations also attest to how international artists sanctify a period of global grief with cinematic blessings.”
