Denver Jewish Film Festival 2023

Here We Are (with A Father's Kaddish) - Available On-Demand Feb. 21 - 27

Expired February 28, 2022 6:59 AM
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Sponsored by Dr. Richard and Joanne Sanders


In 2005, Jared Branfman died of brain cancer at the age of 23. A week after his death, his father, Steve Branfman, a potter and teacher, went into his studio, took some clay and made a chawan, a Japanese style tea bowl. Each day for one year, he made one chawan - they were the only pots he made. Steve’s daily chawan made at his wheel was his own personal kaddish, (the traditional Jewish prayer of mourning).


For 9 years, these 365 bowls sat unfinished on shelves in his studio. One day, in the 9th year, he decided to glaze and fire these bowls, bringing them to life with color and sheen.


A FATHER'S KADDISH is the personal story of a man who created an art form to honor his son and his son’s memory.


This powerful film shows traditional and non-traditional ways for people to grieve. From one man’s poignant story at the intersection of love, art, and ritual comes a universal lesson for all who have experienced loss.


  • Year
    2020
  • Runtime
    31 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    USA
  • Premiere
    Colorado
  • Director
    Jen Kaplan
  • Cinematographer
    Nikki Bramley
  • Editor
    Rachel Clark