About the Film

Deniz Bensusan is a young Sephardic woman who has just come to the realization that her ancestral language, Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), is on the verge of extinction. Alarmed by the imminent demise of her heritage, she embarks on a journey of discovery in an attempt to uncover the roots of her Sephardic culture, language, and traditions. She voyages across Europe and visits sites where her relatives once lived and thrived.

About Sephardic Spotlight

Program followed by an echar lashon (Sephardic coffee klatsch) with biscochos made by the Ladies Auxiliary of Congregation Ezra Bessaroth. 

Guest Speakers

Cem Kitaci is the film producer and a partner in Case Productions. THE FINAL HOUR is his feature debut.

Dr. Devin E. Naar is the Isaac Alhadeff Professor in Sephardic Studies, Assistant Professor of History, and faculty at the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies in the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. Dr. Naar's first book Jewish Salonica: Between the Ottoman Empire and Modern Greece was published in 2017. He serves as an advisor to the Seattle Jewish Film Festival.

Director Bio:

Çağlar Mallı was exposed to the arts starting from an early age, due mainly to the influence of his family. In 2000, he started his BA degree in Political Science at Istanbul Bilgi University, where he got a chance to continue his education in the field of social sciences while also finding the opportunity to indulge his lifelong passion, cinema. Until graduating from university in 2005, Caglar worked on the production and filming of numerous short film projects in various capacities. THE FINAL HOUR is his second feature-length project.

 Sponsors:

• Maureen and Joel Benoliel
• David and Celeste Rind, in memory of Bernice Rind z"l
  
• Samis Foundation
• Community Partners:Congregation Ezra Besseroth, Jconnect Seattle, Seattle Sephardic Network, and UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies, Sephardic Studies