In the early 20th century, the Hindu and Muslim communities of India discouraged women from appearing on the silver screen. This created an opening for aspiring actresses drawn from India’s small Jewish community, who faced no such restrictions.In Shalom Bollywood: The Untold Story of Indian Cinema, Danny Ben-Moshe tells the compelling tale of Jewish actresses with last names like Myers and Abraham who performed under exotic pseudonyms like Sulochana, Miss Rose, Pramila and Nadira. Products of the Baghdadi Jewish and India’s Bene Israel communities, these women rose from obscurity to become early trailblazers in India’s film industry and national celebrities. Featuring interviews with descendants as well as making imaginative use of archival film footage, animation and a true Bollywood soundtrack, Ben-Moshe highlights how these female cinematic pioneers carved their own paths in Bollywood.

Thursday, July 26th 12:10 pm – CineArts Palo Alto
Saturday, August 4th, 11:30 am – Smith Rafael, Marin
Sunday, August 5th 12:15 pm – Piedmont Theater

For more information:
https://jfi.org/sfjff-2018/film-guide/shalom-bollywood-the-untold-history-of-indian-cinema