What Exactly is “Yaniv”?: White Mountain Jewish Film Festival Opens With a New Comedy About the Underground World of Jewish Gambling
The 2024 White Mountain Jewish Film Festival (WMJFF) presents five Jewish comedies this summer, to fill Bethlehem’s Colonial Theatre with the laughter that is so needed in these troubling times. First up on Thursday, July 18, is “Yaniv,” a newly released film written, produced, and directed by Amnon Carmi and Ben Ducoff.
When a Bronx high school slashes its arts funding, the affected teacher concocts a scheme to save the department and its production of “Little Shop of Horrors” by entering the dangerous world of Yaniv—a card game played “behind closed doors” by Orthodox Jewish gamblers. This madcap and absurd comedy unpacks Jewish identity, male friendship, and public education, all in one lighthearted package.
“Amnon and I have been best friends and creative partners for over 20 years and have been making films together since fourth grade,” said Ben Ducoff, who wrote and produced the film, and who plays the main character. “We knew we wanted to finally take on a feature length project, and the idea for ‘Yaniv’ first popped into our heads while actually playing Yaniv, a game we are absolutely obsessed with.”
“We have always been fascinated by Jewish stories and the uniqueness of our community,” Ducoff continued. “This fascination has gotten even more intense since we both moved to New York City as adults, where Jews from all corners of the world and all levels of observance cross paths, sometimes lending itself to conflict. We knew we wanted to show the Orthodox community through the eyes of a secular Jew, but we also made sure to never lean into stereotypes or get too schlocky.”
“In the wake of October 7th, we expanded the concept of our film to bring the world of Yaniv off screen,” director Amnon Carmi added. “We regularly host social events in addition to screenings where we teach the card game—accompanied by music, food and drinks—and promote a safe space to laugh, play and feel supported by and within our community.”
Carmi and Ducoff will transform the Colonial Theatre’s patio into a Yaniv parlor and teach attendees at the traditional WMJFF pre-film party to play the game. They will also lead a Q-and-A following the film.
The patio party, with complimentary refreshments and beverages, is included in the cost of admission ($10 for the general public). The box office opens at 5:30 pm, the party begins at 6 pm, and the film begins at 7 pm.
The film festival’s roster of subsequent movies are: The Frisco Kid (August 1); Broadway Danny Rose (August 15); No Name Restaurant (August 29); and The Producers (September 5). Tickets are sold at the door or online. A general admission season pass (five films) is $40. For more information, visit https://www.bethlehemsynagogue.org/film-series-2024
Story by Anna McClennen