2012 Charlotte Jewish Film Festival

Sunday, February 26

Film: Anita

Venue: Regal Ballantyne Village Stadium 5

Time: 2:00PM

Anita

Sponsored by: Jewish Family Services of Charlotte

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Winner of 7 Audience Awards from Jewish and International Film Festivals.

"Anita has great universal value and was the one that most struck me this year" --Actor Edward James Olmos, Founder of the International Latino Film Festival LA, where "Anita" won best film and audience favorite.

Anita is a young Jewish Argentine woman with Down syndrome living with her devoted mother. Into Anita's protective and loving environment, the outside world intrudes. What begins as a tragedy turns into an odyssey of discovery, resilience and compassion as Anita wanders the streets of Buenos Aires, receiving help and companionship in unexpected quarters.

Writer-director Marcos Carnevale's controlled, mature cinematic style draws you in while the superb performances from Norma Aleandro (the "Meryl Streep of Argentina), Leonor Manso (Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 Argentine Academy Awards for this performance), and newcomer Alejandra Manzo keep you captivated.

Reviews:

"I find 'Anita' a wondrously hopeful film. If you believe in the inherent goodness of human beings, it is the "feel-good" movie of the season." -The Boca Raton Tribune

"Like Homer's 'Odyssey,' the film 'Anita' is the story of someone trying to find her way home. Anita's gentle devotion and humble tranquility eventually win over everyone who takes her in." -The Jewish Daily Forward

"A profoundly hopeful study of human innocence, compassion and resilience." -Robert Avila, San Francisco Bay Guardian

Complete list of honors and awards:

Best Actress - Alejandra Manzo
Providence Latin American Film Festival 2011

Audience Choice Award
Lenore Marwil Detroit Jewish Film Festival 2011

Audience Award - Best Film
Chicago Latino Film Festival 2011

Directors' Choice Award - Best Story of Inspiration
Sedona International Film Festival 2011

Jury Prize - Best International Film
Sonoma International Film Festival 2011

Audience Award - Best Narrative Feature
Wisconsin Film Festival 2011

Audience Award - Best Narrative Feature
Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival 2010

Audience Award
Jewish Film Festival of Dallas 2010

Audience Award - Best Narrative Film
Pittsburgh Jewish Israeli Film Festival 2010

Audience Choice Award - Best Feature
Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival 2009