Israel film center
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Israel Film Center Stream is an initiative of the Israel Film Center at The JCC in Manhattan, a leading not-for-profit resource for Israeli film, expanding Israel's emerging film industry and
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Liliana Italy | Documentary | 2025Liliana Segre's journey from Auschwitz survivor to Senator for Life, is documented in this film that explores the transmission of trauma, and the importance of telling history to the next generation. A Letter to David Israel, USA | Documentary | 2025A cinematic letter to David Cunio, held in Gaza since his abduction on October 7th. A decade after David starred in Tom Shoval's first film, the director blends past and present footage, creating in a A Place of Her Own Israel | Documentary | 2025The women of Jisr az-Zarqa, an impoverished Arab village gripped by violence and threatened by a luxury development, seize a chance to build their own center, fighting for autonomy and community. Paradise Shattered Israel | Documentary | 2024From 2013, Ronit and Itzik document their life in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, capturing the constant threat from Gaza and the community's fragile security, a dilemma tragically amplified after October 7th. Modesty Israel | Documentary | 2025A Rabbi filmmaker and his daughter clash over sexuality and faith, challenging Jewish law and gender roles in their community. Hostages Israel | Documentary Series | 2024An exploration of six pivotal hostage crises and swap deals involving Israel over the last 50 years. Oz’s List Israel | Documentary | 2025Oz Davidian becomes an unlikely hero when he braves the Hamas attack the Nova Festival, armed with only a handgun, to make 15 daring rescues and save 120 lives. Eid Israel, France | Feature | 2025A young Bedouin man, scarred
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NEW YORK — Adventuresome film-goers in New York City rarely have to worry about a lack of options, but starting June 5, this week brings special treasures from the Mideast. For a typically Jewish eight nights, the Israel Film Center hosts its annual festival, showcasing the largest collection of sabra cinema to unspool in one spot.This is the 6th annual Israeli Film Center Festival so we figured it was a good idea to check back in the chief programmer, Isaac Zablocki of the Upper West Side’s Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan.“We have a very good list this year,” Zablocki boasts. “I keep looking them over and, wow, these are good films!”Some of the titles will eventually get a US theatrical release, but not all of them. “Last year was extremely strong, I counted at one point 10 Israeli films played theatrically in New York,” Zablocki tells me. Upper West Side’s Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Isaac Zablocki at the 2015 Other Israel Festival. (Facebook) So what’s on the menu this year? Opening night, in addition to fêting actor Sasson Gabai (whose face you surely remember from world class Israeli triumphs like “The Band’s Visit” or, if not that, at least “Rocky III” and “Delta Force One: The Lost Patrol”), is the local premiere of prolific Israeli director Eran Riklis‘ “Shelter.” Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories By signing up, you agree to the terms Riklis, whose previous work includes “Lemon Tree,” “The Syrian Bride” and “Dancing Arabs,” is on firm footing here.Neta Riskin — who appears in no less than three films during the festival and is “probably” making an appearance for some post-screening Q&As — is a semi-retired Mossad agent on a special and allegedly simple assignment in Germany. But simple assignments do not great cinema make! Her “babysitting” gig, to look after a Lebanese informer (the ubiquitous Golshifteh Farahani) while she recovers from a plastic surgery fix, naturally goes to unexpected places.The two women bond as they wait for Fate in their apartment, and then there’s a twist you don’t seeIsrael Film Center STREAM - YouTube
Peace Forest just outside of Jerusalem, he also sponsored the creation of over three hundred small libraries throughout Israel including portable units for the IDF, collections for the Ethiopian community, and a Spanish language branch. Donations were also made to the national library as well as social science, neighbourhood, history, and holocaust libraries.In 1993 the Yosef Wosk Computer Center was established at the Bostoner Yeshiva in Har Nof, Jerusalem, and 2001 saw the dedication of the Yosef Wosk Children's Synagogue Library at Shalva in Jerusalem, an organization for mentally and physically handicapped children and their caregivers.Beyond his activism within galleries, museums, schools, gardens, hospitals and social services, Wosk as been active in the literary realm. He first made his mark in 1973 when he wrote and published "A Journey to the Heart of Tradition" in Hartman's Yeshiva Bulletin (Jerusalem: Israel Torah Research Institute 1973).As a religious philosopher, he subsequently edited Petach: A Journal of Thought and Reflection, Israel Torah Research Institute: The Shapell College Center for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem (1973-75), contributing "Torah Revelation: Then as Now,"; Petach: A Journal of Thought and Reflection of The College of Jewish Studies, Israel Torah Research Institute, Vol. ii, p. 49-72, Jerusalem (1975), as well as "Can you say where I am and where I am not? Creation has arrived-it inhabits the universe,"; Petach: A Journal of Thought and Reflection of The College of Jewish Studies, Israel. Torah Research Institute, Vol. i, p. 75-79, Jerusalem (1974)Other publications include:"Research Analysis Regarding the Publication of the. Israel Film Center Stream is an initiative of the Israel Film Center at The JCC in Manhattan, a leading not-for-profit resource for Israeli film, expanding Israel's emerging film industry andIsrael Film Center (@israelfilmcenter) - Instagram
Exist. Any notion of a typical student-professor melodrama is dashed, though, when an unexpected incident occurs that changes everything.I didn’t have the heart to tell Zablocki, a hard-working champion of Israeli film and all around mensch, that the movie he loved most was one I admired but ultimately didn’t love. So I’ll let him pitch the fest closer, “Outdoors,” to you.“The director is releasing it independently, so it’s not like coming from the typical engines. The acting is perfect, and the idea of telling a story through the architecture of a home as it is being built, was like nothing else. And also so universal,” says Zablocki.Okay, now I feel guilty. “Outdoors,” is a well-observed, smaller film, and Zablocki’s right. It could take place in France or New Jersey or anywhere. But since it is about people building a home from nothing, and the unforeseen hardships that arise, it benefits from the special flavoring that accompanies any Israeli movie. Maybe this is some grand metaphor about the Jewish state?“That’s the beauty of it,” Zablocki chuckles, but then continues, “what you’re seeing here is the third generation of Israelis. They’re not millennials, but they are a new generation of this modern world. They’re not the ones who were fighting for their existence or fighting to build the country. They don’t have that in them. And they can’t afford the crazy prices in Israel.”Not everything that’s screening is so heavy. There’s a celebratory documentary about author and filmmaker Ephraim Kishon (called, simply enough, “Kishon”) that has a great sarcastic flair, in keeping with the writer’s style. There’s also teen comedy “Almost Famous” about a televised singing contest and a kid-friendly picture called “Operation Egg” set at a zoo.And there will be receptions. “We always serve too much food,” Zablocki sighs. Each screening will be accompanied by a Q&A, which means, as you’d expect, the occasional lively disagreement. But also some rewarding conversation.“I work at a community center,” the longtime JCC staffer tells me. “My job is to create community. The films are just a tool.”The Israel Film Center Festival runs from JuneIsrael Film Center Festival - Eventive
Bar Bahar Country France, Israel Spoken Language hebrew, arabic Runtime 1 hr 43 min Premiere: World $1 679 952 November 25, 2016 USA $107 977 Other countries $1 571 975 Premiere: USA $107 977 November 10, 2017 first day $6741 theaters 8 rollout 361 days Digital: World May 1, 2018 Production Companies YesIsrael Film CouncilChannel 10...DBG / deux beaux garçonsEn Compagnie Des LamasIsrael Lottery Council for Culture and Art Also Known As Je danserai si je veux France Bar Bahr Israel Three Palestinian women living in an apartment in Tel Aviv try to find a balance between traditional and modern culture. Сast and Crew Stars Director Camera Writer Composer Producers Director Camera Writer Composer Producers Editors Designers Videos Stills Posters Filming Screenshots Production Producer Shlomi Elkabetz and writer-director Maysaloun Hamoud brought the project to Jerusalem's "Pitch Point" in 2015, where it won two prizes: the Turkish YAPIMLAB Award and the IFP Award. The film was funded by Israel Film Fund. Related Movies There are no related titles yet, but you can add them: Sign up and you will see here friends impressions of the movie.Israel Film Center Festival 2025
Alcuin Society; at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, SFU Vancouver campus (March 23, 2005)-- "Edenic Asymmetry," Twelfth World Congress of Jewish Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, (August 1997)-- "A Rededication to Life and Torah in the Aftermath of War." An address delivered two months after the Yom Kippur War before an assemblage of hundreds of students and colleagues as well as rabbinical, military and government officials including Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel. Israel Torah Research Institute, Jerusalem (December 1973)In the realm of film, Yosef Wosk is interviewed for My Father's House, a film by Mark Benjamin, producer; B'nai Brith, distributor, Jerusalem (1974). He also donated support for Peace It Together, a project to bring Jewish and Arab, Palestinian, Israeli and Canadian youth together for dialogue, camping and film-making in a neutral environment [Vancouver] and The Adam Institute [Jerusalem] (2004 and 2008). Wosk has also been a donor to the SHEKEL Film Festival, "Reframing Reality - Films that Challenge the Concept of Disability", Jerusalem (2015)In the realm of theatre, he appeared on stage for Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" at tje Kahn Theatre, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1970). In the realm of music, he has been a significant donor to the Dena Wosk Music Therapy Program at the Residential Treatment Centre for children from abused backgrounds at the Children's Home and Canada Group House. Programs include instruments, song writing, children's choir and social skills through music. The program is coordiated via B'nai Brith, Jewish Women International of Canada, JerusalemIsraelism (2025) - Gateway Film Center
The three columns of the Tree of Life.Jacob, Israel is the center column, Tiferet that unifies the Right and the Left.Zeir Anpin is also called Israel because the middle point is Tiferet, Jacob connects upper Leah, and lower, Rachel.שיר - אלישר אללי - ראש " href=" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Israel and represents the Central column, Zeir AnpinLiterally means 'Small Face'. It represents the Six Sefirot, Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, and Yessod. The Light from the upper three Sefirot of Chokmah, Binah, and Da'at comes to Malchut through Zeir Anpin.The Torah is Zeir Anpin, a channel that connects us to the upper three Sefirot through Binah. Our connection to Zeir Anpin is through Yessod by studying the Torah on all levels. Doing good, Tzedakah, and all kinds of sharing.Zeir Anpin also called Tiferet, is the name of the Sefira in the center of the Tree." href=" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Zeir Anpin.The first word of the verse is ‘וְאֵלֶּה’ and numerically equal to 42. The verse can be read as “42 names children of IsraelIsrael - The name that was given to Jacob after he overcomes the angel of the other-side (Genesis 35:10).The children of Israel, Israelites that have souls with the ability to connect to the three columns of the Tree of Life.Jacob, Israel is the center column, Tiferet that unifies the Right and the Left.Zeir Anpin is also called Israel because the middle point is Tiferet, Jacob connects upper Leah, and lower, Rachel.שיר - אלישר אללי - ראש " href=" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Israel came to Egypt…”. With the Holy Creature, IsraelIsrael - The name that was given to Jacob after he overcomes the angel of the other-side (Genesis 35:10).The children of Israel, Israelites that have souls with the ability to connect to the three columns of the Tree of Life.Jacob, Israel is the center column, Tiferet that unifies the Right and the Left.Zeir Anpin is also called Israel because the middle point is Tiferet, Jacob connects upper Leah, and lower, Rachel.שיר - אלישר אללי - ראש " href=" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Israel, came 42 angels to serve Jacob and his household. Each one of these angels had one letter of the 42 letters name.#49Rabbi Yehuda asks Rabbi Elazar to explain his father’s explanation about the 42 angels that came to Egypt. If there were 42 angels then why the verse says; “came each one with his household” when angels don’t have household.Rabbi Elazar explained that according to his father the 42 angels were of a supreme level. On that level they were in the aspect of male. The angels below them are in the aspect of female and called ‘house’ as the lowers empowered by those above them. A female that receives from a male is like a house/vessel for him.The 42 letters name that we know as the Ana BeKoach are in the aspect of male that can protect our vessels and fill them with light.I’d like to add here that when we recite the Ana B’Koach we need to. Israel Film Center Stream is an initiative of the Israel Film Center at The JCC in Manhattan, a leading not-for-profit resource for Israeli film, expanding Israel's emerging film industry and Israel Film Center, New York, New York. 1,898 likes 22 talking about this 67 were here. The Israel Film Center aims to expand and promote Israel's emerging film industry, by providing indu Israel Film Center
Here are the films welcoming back NYC’s Israel Film Center
Real, with its representations of the spectrum of queer people including gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people and genderfluid people feeling vital in their realness because the actors actually are these things. Though it's mostly populated by white people, the film does also feature many people of color and racial identities, and it's out loud about all of these portrayals, with the differences between peoples' identities and backgrounds often anchoring their conversations. For a feature film to center oppressed people so fully is still rare enough to be remarkable even today, but for 1983, it feels stunning. But, equally incredible is that the film happened the way it did, made by a Russian Jewish man in his 40s in a straight relationship who was a very recent immigrant from the U.S.S.R. by way of Israel. For such a man to find common cause with hip, young queers of 80s NYC (often a setting for queer cinema) feels almost impossible, but a look at Tsukerman's life reveals that the fit, if not the practicality, of Tsukerman to this American counterculture makes all the sense in the world. Tsukerman's story begins behind the Iron Curtain, with Tsukerman telling Boston Hassle in 2018: "In the Soviet Union, there was only one film institute. No separate film schools. One film institute with all the top filmmaking professors, with different divisions for different professions. And they were taking, like, twelve, fifteen students to start directing a year, from the entire socialist world, the third world, and Russia. So it was very difficult to get there, and you couldn’t work as a filmmaker without a diploma. It was impossible– 'You should have diploma!' I was the right age to go there after high school, but there was terrible anti-Semitism– because I’m Jewish, I had no chance to get there. But I wanted to be a filmmaker." Undeterred, Tsukerman got a degree in civil engineering because it was the closest to art and beloved Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein (his Battle of the Potempkin is one of the most influential films ever) did the same thing. Tsukerman started making films with his classmates and friends at school and eventually became part of Russia's amateur film movement (similar to the indie movement of the West but with factories and the like sponsoring films), eventually winning first prize at the National Soviet Film Festival. Tsukerman says, "So I was a unique person, the only person in Russia, after Stalin’s time, who managed to make film before studying film school. So after that, I became a student at film school." Tsukerman was experimental with his films, making documentaries about philosophical subjects and using experimental techniques that used special effects, animation and evenHere are the films that are welcoming back NYC's Israel Film Center
Daily Zohar 2626Daily Zohar 2626.Hebrew translation:48. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, כְּשֶׁיָּרְדָה שְׁכִינָה לְמִצְרַיִם, יָרְדָה חַיָּה אַחַת שֶׁשְּׁמָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּדְיוֹקַן אוֹתוֹ הַזָּקֵן, וְאַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁנַיִם שַׁמָּשִׁים קְדוֹשִׁים עִמּוֹ, וְכָל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד אוֹת קְדוֹשָׁה עִמּוֹ מֵהַשֵּׁם הַקָּדוֹשׁ, וְכֻלָּם יָרְדוּ עִם יַעֲקֹב לְמִצְרַיִם. זֶהוּ שֶׁכָּתוּב וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּאִים מִצְרָיְמָה אֵת יַעֲקֹב. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק, מִמַּשְׁמָע שֶׁאָמַר בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאַחַר כָּךְ אֵת יַעֲקֹב, וְלֹא נֶאֱמַר אִתּוֹ.49. שָׁאַל רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אֶת רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, [אָמַר לוֹ] כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמַעְתָּ מֵאָבִיךָ אֶת פָּרָשַׁת וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּסוֹד עֶלְיוֹן, מַה זֶּה שֶׁאָמַר אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ בָּאוּ? אָמַר לוֹ, אוֹתָהּ מִלָּה שֶׁהָיָה אוֹמֵר אַבָּא, אֵלּוּ הֵם מַלְאָכִים עֶלְיוֹנִים, שֶׁהֵם מֵעַל הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים מֵהֶם. זֶהוּ שֶׁכָּתוּב אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ בָּאוּ. וְכָךְ אָמַר אַבָּא, כָּל אוֹתָם מַלְאָכִים שֶׁבְּדַרְגָּה עֶלְיוֹנָה, נִקְרָאִים גְּבָרִים זְכָרִים, וְאוֹתָם שֶׁבְּדַרְגָּה תַחְתּוֹנָה מֵהֶם, נִקְרָאִים (נְקֵבוֹת) בַּיִת, שֶׁאִשָּׁה נְקֵבָה שֶׁמְּקַבֶּלֶת מִן הַזָּכָר..Zohar ShemotContinued from previous DZ#48Exodus 1:1“וְאֵלֶּה, שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַבָּאִים, מִצְרָיְמָה: אֵת יַעֲקֹב, אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ בָּאוּ”“Now these are the names of the sons of IsraelIsrael - The name that was given to Jacob after he overcomes the angel of the other-side (Genesis 35:10).The children of Israel, Israelites that have souls with the ability to connect to the three columns of the Tree of Life.Jacob, Israel is the center column, Tiferet that unifies the Right and the Left.Zeir Anpin is also called Israel because the middle point is Tiferet, Jacob connects upper Leah, and lower, Rachel.שיר - אלישר אללי - ראש " href=" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household:”Rabbi Shimon explains the secret of this verse. When the Shechina came down to Egypt with Jacob, one of the Holy Creatures of the Holy Throne joined. The name of the Holy Creature is IsraelIsrael - The name that was given to Jacob after he overcomes the angel of the other-side (Genesis 35:10).The children of Israel, Israelites that have souls with the ability to connect to the three columns of the Tree of Life.Jacob, Israel is the center column, Tiferet that unifies the Right and the Left.Zeir Anpin is also called Israel because the middle point is Tiferet, Jacob connects upper Leah, and lower, Rachel.שיר - אלישר אללי - ראש " href=" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Israel and was in the image of Zeir AnpinLiterally means 'Small Face'. It represents the Six Sefirot, Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, and Yessod. The Light from the upper three Sefirot of Chokmah, Binah, and Da'at comes to Malchut through Zeir Anpin.The Torah is Zeir Anpin, a channel that connects us to the upper three Sefirot through Binah. Our connection to Zeir Anpin is through Yessod by studying the Torah on all levels. Doing good, Tzedakah, and all kinds of sharing.Zeir Anpin also called Tiferet, is the name of the Sefira in the center of the Tree." href=" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Zeir Anpin. Jacob himself is called IsraelIsrael - The name that was given to Jacob after he overcomes the angel of the other-side (Genesis 35:10).The children of Israel, Israelites that have souls with the ability to connect to. Israel Film Center Stream is an initiative of the Israel Film Center at The JCC in Manhattan, a leading not-for-profit resource for Israeli film, expanding Israel's emerging film industry and Israel Film Center, New York, New York. 1,898 likes 22 talking about this 67 were here. The Israel Film Center aims to expand and promote Israel's emerging film industry, by providing indu Israel Film CenterHere are the films that are welcoming back NYC’s Israel Film Center
TITLESNAMESCOLLABORATIONSOur figurine sized supermen hero embarks on an epic surreal journey that will take him across the Ethiopian post apocalyptic landscape in search of a way to get on the hovering spacecraft that for years has become a landmark in the skies.A young Addis Ababa taxi driver gets caught up in the dark side of love, causing his taxi to be stolen. He finds himself stuck in a relationship with a prostitute, making him confront his past and discover what is the price of love.3. Difret20141h 39mUnrated6.9 (1.4K)61MetascoreA young lawyer travels to an Ethiopian village to represent Hirut, a 14-year-old girl who shot her would-be husband as he and others were practicing one of the nation's oldest traditions: abduction into marriage.16 year old Jewish Mina, is trying to navigate between a surreal routine dictated by the civil war in Ethiopia and her last days of youth with her Christian boyfriend Eli. When she discovers that her family is planning to immigrate to Israel and escape the war, she weaves an alternate plan in order to save Eli. But in times of war, plans tend to go wrong. Marsha's coming of age film debut film is based on her childhood memories of a civil-war-torn Ethiopia.In Ethiopia, two men are running to achieve their dreams.A young nurse saves a little girl from a deadly conflict zone, then soon finds herself in the center of the conflict.7. Teza20082h 20mNot Rated7.1 (655)78MetascoreThe Ethiopian intellectual Anberber returns to his native country during the repressive totalitarian regime of Haile Mariam Mengistu and the recognition of his own displacement and powerlessness at the dissolution of his people's humanity and social values. After several years spent studying medicine in Germany, he finds the country of his youth replaced by turmoil. His dream of using his craft to improve the health of Ethiopians is squashed by a military junta that uses scientists for its own political ends. Seeking the comfort of his countryside home, Anberber finds no refuge from violence. The solace that the memories of his youth provide is quickly replaced by the competing forces of military and rebelling factions. Anberber needs to decide whether he wants to bear the strain or piece together a life from the fragments that lie around him.When an Ethiopian boy moves in with distant relatives he takes his pet sheep with him but the upcoming holidays spell danger for his beloved friend.An in-depth look at the world of coffee and global trade.A hip urban reggae film about music, passion, love and devotion! Tsegaye is a driven mucician who leaves his wife and children in California, to search for a long lost childhood friend, Kirubel.A film that will span three continents and dealComments
Liliana Italy | Documentary | 2025Liliana Segre's journey from Auschwitz survivor to Senator for Life, is documented in this film that explores the transmission of trauma, and the importance of telling history to the next generation. A Letter to David Israel, USA | Documentary | 2025A cinematic letter to David Cunio, held in Gaza since his abduction on October 7th. A decade after David starred in Tom Shoval's first film, the director blends past and present footage, creating in a A Place of Her Own Israel | Documentary | 2025The women of Jisr az-Zarqa, an impoverished Arab village gripped by violence and threatened by a luxury development, seize a chance to build their own center, fighting for autonomy and community. Paradise Shattered Israel | Documentary | 2024From 2013, Ronit and Itzik document their life in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, capturing the constant threat from Gaza and the community's fragile security, a dilemma tragically amplified after October 7th. Modesty Israel | Documentary | 2025A Rabbi filmmaker and his daughter clash over sexuality and faith, challenging Jewish law and gender roles in their community. Hostages Israel | Documentary Series | 2024An exploration of six pivotal hostage crises and swap deals involving Israel over the last 50 years. Oz’s List Israel | Documentary | 2025Oz Davidian becomes an unlikely hero when he braves the Hamas attack the Nova Festival, armed with only a handgun, to make 15 daring rescues and save 120 lives. Eid Israel, France | Feature | 2025A young Bedouin man, scarred
2025-03-30NEW YORK — Adventuresome film-goers in New York City rarely have to worry about a lack of options, but starting June 5, this week brings special treasures from the Mideast. For a typically Jewish eight nights, the Israel Film Center hosts its annual festival, showcasing the largest collection of sabra cinema to unspool in one spot.This is the 6th annual Israeli Film Center Festival so we figured it was a good idea to check back in the chief programmer, Isaac Zablocki of the Upper West Side’s Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan.“We have a very good list this year,” Zablocki boasts. “I keep looking them over and, wow, these are good films!”Some of the titles will eventually get a US theatrical release, but not all of them. “Last year was extremely strong, I counted at one point 10 Israeli films played theatrically in New York,” Zablocki tells me. Upper West Side’s Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Isaac Zablocki at the 2015 Other Israel Festival. (Facebook) So what’s on the menu this year? Opening night, in addition to fêting actor Sasson Gabai (whose face you surely remember from world class Israeli triumphs like “The Band’s Visit” or, if not that, at least “Rocky III” and “Delta Force One: The Lost Patrol”), is the local premiere of prolific Israeli director Eran Riklis‘ “Shelter.” Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories By signing up, you agree to the terms Riklis, whose previous work includes “Lemon Tree,” “The Syrian Bride” and “Dancing Arabs,” is on firm footing here.Neta Riskin — who appears in no less than three films during the festival and is “probably” making an appearance for some post-screening Q&As — is a semi-retired Mossad agent on a special and allegedly simple assignment in Germany. But simple assignments do not great cinema make! Her “babysitting” gig, to look after a Lebanese informer (the ubiquitous Golshifteh Farahani) while she recovers from a plastic surgery fix, naturally goes to unexpected places.The two women bond as they wait for Fate in their apartment, and then there’s a twist you don’t see
2025-04-14Exist. Any notion of a typical student-professor melodrama is dashed, though, when an unexpected incident occurs that changes everything.I didn’t have the heart to tell Zablocki, a hard-working champion of Israeli film and all around mensch, that the movie he loved most was one I admired but ultimately didn’t love. So I’ll let him pitch the fest closer, “Outdoors,” to you.“The director is releasing it independently, so it’s not like coming from the typical engines. The acting is perfect, and the idea of telling a story through the architecture of a home as it is being built, was like nothing else. And also so universal,” says Zablocki.Okay, now I feel guilty. “Outdoors,” is a well-observed, smaller film, and Zablocki’s right. It could take place in France or New Jersey or anywhere. But since it is about people building a home from nothing, and the unforeseen hardships that arise, it benefits from the special flavoring that accompanies any Israeli movie. Maybe this is some grand metaphor about the Jewish state?“That’s the beauty of it,” Zablocki chuckles, but then continues, “what you’re seeing here is the third generation of Israelis. They’re not millennials, but they are a new generation of this modern world. They’re not the ones who were fighting for their existence or fighting to build the country. They don’t have that in them. And they can’t afford the crazy prices in Israel.”Not everything that’s screening is so heavy. There’s a celebratory documentary about author and filmmaker Ephraim Kishon (called, simply enough, “Kishon”) that has a great sarcastic flair, in keeping with the writer’s style. There’s also teen comedy “Almost Famous” about a televised singing contest and a kid-friendly picture called “Operation Egg” set at a zoo.And there will be receptions. “We always serve too much food,” Zablocki sighs. Each screening will be accompanied by a Q&A, which means, as you’d expect, the occasional lively disagreement. But also some rewarding conversation.“I work at a community center,” the longtime JCC staffer tells me. “My job is to create community. The films are just a tool.”The Israel Film Center Festival runs from June
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