David Finkle and Lisa Brenner during the audience Q&A at the AJFF screening of “One Big Happy Family” at the Dell Jewish Community Center. Credit: Cynthia Winer

By Allison Teegardin 

On Sunday, July 6, approximately 60 people attended the Dell Jewish Community Center for a special film screening of “One Big Happy Family” followed by a Q& A session with the film’s writer, producer and lead actor, Lisa Brenner. “AJFF was delighted to welcome to Austin writer/co-producer/lead actor Lisa Brenner from the film “One Big Happy Family.” Lisa shared insights into the background of this funny film, which is based on real events. Having events like these, with cast members and creators what AJFF is all about,” Austin Jewish Film Festival Director David Finkle said.

The film is about the hilarious journey Brenner’s character embarks on when the results of a DNA test she took for the fun of it leaves her with more questions than answers about who she really is. The film, which Brenner says was autobiographical, addresses themes such as interfaith relationships and Jewish identity as Brenner is heavily focused on planning her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah throughout the film. When asked which parts of the film were based on real events, Brenner told the audience, “Most of the crazy things are the actual true parts of the story.”

Brenner, an American Jewish actress was born in Long Island, New York and currently resides in Los Angeles. As a young actress, Brenner recalls not being cast as a Jewish character because she, “didn’t look Jewish.” Playing the main character, a Jewish woman in an interfaith marriage planning her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, Brenner was finally cast as a Jewish character. Additionally, “One Big Happy Family” also stars another Jewish actor, the late Linda Lavin, as Brenner’s mother.

According to the AJFF post-event survey, the audience rated both the film and Q & A session at 4.6 / 5. Following the AJFF screening at the Dell JCC, Brenner was headed to San Antonio for another screening at a JCC. “One Big Happy Family” will make its theater debut in October. ■