“I want to get to that place where I have no strength to hide anything.” Dancer/choreographer Bobbi Jene Smith sets out to pursue the defining work of her career in Elvira Lind’s captivating documentary, Bobbi Jene. At age 30, Bobbi (born in Iowa to a conservative Christian family) has enjoyed a decade of stardom in Israel as part of the illustrious Batsheva Dance Company, led by Ohad Naharin (who was memorably profiled in Tomer Heymann’s hit documentary, Mr. Gaga, SFJFF 2016). When Bobbi decides to step away from Batsheva in order to pursue teaching and solo performance opportunities in San Francisco, she leaves behind not only the comforts of her identity as part of a world-famous company, but also her romantic relationship with fellow Batsheva dancer Or Schraiber, a gentle man 10 years her junior, who may be unable to imagine a future outside of Israel. What we witness in Bobbi Jene is the sense of urgency which poignantly besets a dancer once she is no longer considered “young,” but still full of ambition, talent and the drive to assert her own voice. A sleeper hit at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it swept the documentary category (winning Best Documentary Feature, Best Editing and Best Cinematography), Bobbi Jene is a portrait of a dancer which is as unflinching, wondrous and embarrassing as life itself. —Tien-Tien L. Jong
Note: contains mature content
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Subject Bobbi Jene Smith in person
August 2, 8:00PM | ODC Theater at 3153 17th Street, San Francisco
Film & Dance: $40 Members | $45 General Public
Performance only: $30 Members | $35 General Public
Passes valid for screening only. Special event ticket required. Note: contains mature content and nudity
SFJFF is thrilled to present a rare and intimate performance between Bobbi Jene Smith and violinist Keir GoGwilt, in partnership with ODC Theater. This exclusive performance will present Smith's and GoGwilt virtuosity and passion at center stage for Festival attendees. Smith, a former member of the Batsheva Dance Company, is currently creating her own work and is living in NYC.
Note: Film and performance not on the same day, tickets can be purchased for either the film and performance, performance only or film only. See the event's page here.