The 14th annual Pittsburgh Jewish-Israeli Film Festival opens today with the first of 22 films. They are being screened at five locations: SouthSide Works Cinema; Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill; and Carmike's Cranberry 8, Galleria in Mt. Lebanon and Wynnsong 12 in Delmont.

"Monsieur Batignole" -- Bittersweet French film about a butcher in German-occupied Paris who turns a blind eye to what's happening to his Jewish neighbors until a vulnerable boy turns up on his doorstep.

Dessert reception follows, with music by Makkura Jazz, tonight at 7:30 at SouthSide Works Cinema (special ticket price). Repeats Monday at 7 p.m. at Cranberry 8.

"King of Beggars" -- A humble bathhouse attendant in a 16th-century Russian shtetl emerges as leader of a fighting brigade of Jewish outcasts. Saturday at 7:20 p.m. at SouthSide Works, repeats Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Wynnsong 12.

"What a Wonderful Place" -- Ensemble piece about difficulties faced by foreign workers in post-Intifada Israel. Saturday at 9:20 p.m. at SouthSide Works.

"Rachel Is" -- Excerpts from a mother's book and sister's documentary about a young woman with mental retardation who dreams of living in a group home. Discussion with filmmaker and author to follow. Sunday at 11 a.m. at SouthSide Works.

"1000 Calories" -- Love, friendship and dieting are on the table in this drama about women vacationing at a health spa. Screens with "The Tribe," a short about the history of the Barbie doll and the Jewish people. Sunday at 1 p.m. at SouthSide Works.

"A Love to Hide" -- 1942 Paris serves as the backdrop for this story about two gay men, a Jewish woman and a black marketeer, all trying to keep life-threatening secrets. Sunday at 3 p.m. at SouthSide Works.

"Three Mothers" -- The lives of Sephardic triplets, born in Alexandria in 1943 and blessed in person by King Farouk of Egypt, are recounted in this movie made by the daughter of one of the triplets. Sunday at 7 p.m. at SouthSide Works, repeats Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Galleria.

Tickets are $8, general admission; $7 for patrons over 65; $5 for students with valid ID; and $6 for groups of a dozen or more (in advance). The only exception: opening night tickets, $30, or $10 for students with ID.

To purchase, go to the Web site www.ujfpittsburgh.org/filmfestival or call 412-992-5203. Tickets also will be sold at each venue 30 minutes before show time.