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Once again four SA cites are about to enjoy
the phenomenal Israeli Film Festival with a
feast of titles on offer over six days each.
Cost? Just R15 donation per performance!
The annual Israeli Film Festival presented by the Embassy of Israel together with tararam, the South Africa-Israel Culture Fund, enables film-lovers to acquire a taste of Israeli life from several different angles. It kicks off in Joburg Thursday.
With Israeli films nominated for Academy Awards for the past few years, powerful stories of love, friendship, family drama and corruption hold their own on the world’s screens with comedy taking a front seat in this year’s choice of eight scintillating and thought-provoking films. There is undoubtedly something for everyone.
Once again the venue is the Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau, opening at the Rosebank Mall on 12 August before moving to the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town followed by Brooklyn Mall, Pretoria, and finally showing at the Gateway in Durban. (See below for times and dates)
On an hilarious note, “Sodom,” in typical Monty Pythonesque style, focuses on the infamous city, the gambling, sex and corruption capital of biblical times. This is a jungle of wheeling and dealing where the best way to survive is to screw everyone else. In this wacky comedy, what will be the fate of the only town in the Bible that knew how to party?
In contrast, in the “The Matchmaker” a must see movie, Arik, a teenage Haifa lad works for the mysterious holocaust survivor Yankele, a matchmaker. Arik begins to learn the mysteries of the human heart. At the same time he finds himself falling in love with free spirited Tamara in a coming of age story unlike any other. Featured in 15 international festivals with several awards.
“Restless” reflects human drama through the interaction of a father whose life has steadily slid on a downward spiral of failure and his son who lives on the edge, risking his life in every way possible, as though trying to ease some internal wound. Their eventual meeting unleashes years of pent up anger and resentment. Berlin international film festival.
In “There Were Nights,” Goni as a young child is spoiled and loved in the glow of her showbiz parents. One day it all falls apart following the untimely death of her mother. Now, at twenty five, she is about to take her first steps into the world but must first overcome the grip of her father’s loneliness. This is a story of a daughter's love for her father and at the same time, her desire for independence. Starring the acclaimed Israeli actor Moshe Ivgy together with his real-life daughter Dana.
The powerful crime drama, “Ajami,” an Academy Award nominee which received the highest critical acclaim, is a collaborative Israel/Palestinian film set in the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa, reflecting a melting pot of cultures and conflict amongst Jews, Muslims and Christians. We witness a dramatic collision of different worlds and the tragic consequences of antagonists living as neighbours.
In 1943, Rose, Flora and Jasmine, a rare triplet, born in Egypt were blessed by King Faruk. Today they live together in Israel, their lives clouded by secrets and lies from the past. “Three Mothers” weaves a suspenseful and poignant tale questioning the meaning of blood ties, marital loyalties, independence and motherhood itself. Nominated for 9 Israel Film Awards.
In the romantic drama “Five hours from Paris,” we meet two very different people, he, an Israeli taxi driver and she, a Russian immigrant. He has no aspirations while she gave up on hers long ago. He is afraid of flying while she is about to fly away. What are the odds of them ending up together? A sweet, mature, thoughtful romance. World Premiere, Toronto International Film Festival
“The Human Resources Manager” of Jerusalem's largest bakery is in trouble. When one of his employees is killed in a suicide bombing, the bakery is accused of indifference, and he is sent to the victim's hometown in Romania to make amends. On a mission to honour a woman he didn't know but has grown to admire, the HR Manager fights to regain his company's reputation - and possibly his own humanity. An official selection, Toronto international film festival.
With several of the films to be shown having won prizes in prestigious festivals in Israel, the US, Canada and Europe and with their often tender, frequently humour filled exploration of the Israeli experience, these festival films promise an entertaining and uplifting cinematic journey for South Africans who might not otherwise have the opportunity to see such a collection of world class foreign works
There is an entry fee of R15 in support of the Ster Kinekor Vission Mission Project, which treats children from underprivileged communities with impaired eyesight.
