Darkly humorous drama

JIFF to open with A Real Pain

The Jewish International Film Festival is back with a bang, opening with Jesse Eisenberg's new film, A Real Pain.

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain.
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain.

The 2024 Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) is set to open with the Australian Premiere of A Real Pain, starring Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) and Kieran Culkin (Succession).

This darkly humorous and touching drama won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance Film Festival 2024, and will kick off JIFF’s 8-week celebration of Jewish cinema across the country. For the first time, the festival will screen in Adelaide at The Piccadilly and Belgrave at Cameo Cinemas.

A Real Pain follows two estranged cousins, David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Culkin), who reunite for a tour of Poland to honour their grandmother’s memory. What begins as a journey of remembrance quickly turns into a comical and heartfelt exploration of old family tensions, intergenerational trauma, and the diverging paths their lives have taken.

“We are thrilled to open the festival with this remarkable film. A Real Pain is a poignant and often hilarious reflection on family, history, and the deep bonds that persist despite generational trauma,” Eddie Tamir, Artistic Director of JIFF, said. “It’s a powerful and entertaining way to launch the 2024 Festival.”

A Real Pain premiere screenings will be held in Melbourne on Sunday October 27 and in Sydney on Monday October 28.

Both events will include a pre-film celebration with drinks, falafels, and live entertainment.

Perth will host its Opening Night event on Monday December 14, where guests will enjoy a drink on arrival before the screening.

A Real Pain will also screen in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart on November 7 as well as Canberra on December 7.

Showcasing an exceptional range of films that bring Jewish culture and stories to Australian audiences, JIFF 2024 will run from 27 October to 22 December. From moving dramas to insightful documentaries, this year’s program promises to captivate and inspire.

The full program for JIFF will be announced on Sunday 29 September at a special screening of White Bird, proudly co-hosted by The Australian Jewish News.

Tickets to A Real Pain and more information about the Festival: jiff.com.au.

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