Israel Film Festival Spotlight: Restoration

The 21st Annual New York Jewish Film Festival, taking place January 11th-26th, is presented by the Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Movies with Abe has the pleasure of offering a look at a number of the films being shown.

Restoration
Directed by Joseph Madmony
Screening January 15th at 6pm and January 16th at 8:45pm

Like many of the other films being presented at the festival this year, this is a family story. It’s an endearing tale of a shop trying to stay open in the wake of the death of one of its owners, whose memory launches the film as the living characters begin to put the pieces back together. The arrival of a new employee leads to the discovery of a piano that may be worth enough to save the business, prompting some unanticipated optimism but also understandable skepticism. “Restoration” has a wonderful music score, which is very beautiful and drives the film, but at the center of the film is a fantastic quiet, melancholy lead performance by Sasson Gabai from “The Band’s Visit.” This is a story about a place and about people, and it’s equally powerful on both fronts.