New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival Spotlight: Empty Boxcars

I have the distinct pleasure of covering some of the films being screened at the Center for Jewish History as part of the 16th Annual New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival, taking place March 15th-22nd.

Empty Boxcars
Directed by Ed Gaffney
Screening March 18th at 3:30pm

This documentary is one of several films this year that seeks to profile a population almost entirely lost in the Holocaust. The story of the Jews of the Balkans is full of tragedy and horror, yet there’s also room for some hope, as Bulgaria managed to hold on to its preservation of rights for Jews for longer than many other countries, before similarly falling prey to hatred and discrimination. The film takes care to tell each person’s story with individuality, spirit, and dedication, seeking to honor the memory of each as well as of the whole. It functions well as a memorial, a tribute, and a tale of hope and perseverance.