Two Food Documentaries At Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival

Two documentaries exploring icons of the New York City food business will be shown at Philadelphia’s Jewish Film Festival.

The Sturgeon Queens, a look at the past of Russ and Daughters, the famed lox and herring emporium on New York’s Lower East Side, stars 100-year-old Hattie Russ Gold and her sister 92-year-old Anne Russ Federman. The humorous and nostalgic film recounts stories and memories of the two women, of immigrant life, Jewish tradition and New York City food culture.

After the film showing, there will be a separately-ticketed Russ and Daughters Bagel & Lox Brunch at Hamilton Hall with a book talk and signing by Mark Russ Federman, author of Russ & Daughters: Reflections and Recipes from the House That Herring Built.

This film will be shown on Sunday, November 2 at 11:30 AM at the Gershman Y.

Famous Nathan, the second food-centric film of the Fest, explores the nearly 100-year history of Nathan’s Famous Frankfurters. Director Lloyd Handwerker, Nathan’s grandson, takes a look back at his family’s unique history, the Jewish-American immigrant experience, and Nathan’s pursuit of the American dream. The film includes a lively cast of characters – “from colorful family members and former employees to Coney Island regulars and celebrity patrons,” according to the press. Handwerker, who spent thirty years making the film, will be around for a  post-screening discussion.

This film will be screened on Sunday, November 16 at 11:30 AM at the National Museum of American Jewish History.

Tickets for these films, as well as the other films included in the Festival, are available here.

Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival [Official]