Jewish Film Festival – Irena’s Vow

Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast present Irena’s Vow will show on Saturday, February 24th at 8:00 PM at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts – Jaeb Theatre for this year’s Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival, the committee choice award winner. The film follows the life of a Polish nurse Irene Gut Opdyke who was awarded the Righteous Among the Nations medal for showing remarkable courage in her attempt to save Polish Jews during World War II. Through the eyes of a strong-willed woman comes the remarkable true story of Irena Gut Opdyke (Nélisse) and the triumphs of the human spirit over devastating tragedy.

19-year-old Irena Gut is promoted to housekeeper in the home of a highly respected Nazi officer in Poland when she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be liquidated. Determined to save 12 Jewish workers, she decides to shelter them in the safest place she can think of – the basement of the German Major’s house. Over the next eight months, Irena uses her wit, instinct, charm, and immense courage to hide her friends for as long as possible.

These films are part of the weekend-long festival, packed with films, special engagement programs, director and talent talks, culinary delights, and champagne toasts that all truly merit celebration! The films will delight moviegoers with topics varying from stories of strength, power, perseverance and might! Complex and discreet family situations, love stories, satirical comedy, heroic Holocaust survival, Jewish values and traditions and, of course, a walk-down memory lane through Jewish geography. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.tbjff.org.