By Jeffrey Catalano
Assistant Editor
On Saturday, January 31, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Jewish and Israeli Film Festival will have its opening night at Memorial Hall in downtown Cincinnati. The film kicking off the festival, which will last until the end of February, is “Ethan Bloom,” a 2025 coming-of-age, dramatic comedy.
“Ethan Bloom” follows the story of a thirteen year old boy, the titular “Ethan,” who, after losing his mother, begins to find solace in the Catholic church. It becomes a kind of refuge for him — a place of peace — despite being born into a Jewish family.
Things come to a head for young Ethan and his developing interest in the Catholic faith when his father insists that he has his bar mitzvah. The secret of his attraction to Catholicism then spills out at his girlfriend’s confirmation party, which forces him to confront the lies he’s been telling and face the terrible grief he’s been trying to run from.
Ethan comes to learn through the wise words of an unconventional rabbi, the love his complicated family and his first girlfriend that faith isn’t about choosing a side — it’s about respecting all the complexities of who we are.
“Ethan Bloom” was directed by Herschel Faber and written by Maylen Dominguez. This is Faber’s second film as director, and Dominguez’s first as a screenwriter. The titular character, “Ethan” (Ethan Bloomfield in the film), is played by Hank Greenspan. This is one of his first major movie roles.
There is a fee for admission to the opening night of the “Jewish and Israeli Film Festival,” and tickets include an opening night reception and one drink ticket.
In addition to this screening of “Ethan Bloom,” there will be a sensory screening of the film on Sunday, February 1 at 1 p.m. at the Mayerson JCC. This alternate screening welcomes community members of all abilities to see and enjoy the film.
“Ethan Bloom” is 90 minutes long and carries a content warning of minor drug use.
