The Ring Family Wesleyan Israeli Film Festival
Spring 2006
Broken Wings (February 14, 2006)
Winner of Grand Prix for Best Film , Tokyo International film Festival , and winner of 9 Israeli Academy Awards.
Directed by Nir Bergman.
An emotional and touching drama of a middle class family; a mother and her 4 kids that are trying to pick up the pieces after the sudden death of the father which leaves them estranged from each other in their grief.Presentation/discussion led by Maya Maron, lead actress in the movie.
Walk on Water (February 21, 2006)
Official selection Toronto International Film Festival,2004.
Director Eytan Fox (director of Yossi and Jagger).
A Mossad (Israeli Intelligence) agent, Eyal, is assigned to track down a Nazi officer. Pretending to be a tourist guide he befriends Axel, the Nazi’s grandson, who comes to Israel to convince his sister to come back to Germany to participate in their father’s birthday party. As the friendship between Eyal and Axel develops, Axel’s open attitude challenges Eyal’s rigid values. Eyal arranges to be invited to the birthday party where secrets begin to unfold.Presentation/discussion led by Gal Uchovsky, script writer and co-producer of the film and a gay rights activist.
Ushpizin (February 28, 2006)
(Ushpizin an Aramaic word for guests, a Jewish custom in the holiday of Succoth to invite guests)
The first film told from inside the Haredi ( Jewish orthodox community ) and made through the unique collaboration of a secular director, Gidi Dar, and an orthodox actor, Shuli Rand.
A poor childless couple gets a generous donation on the eve of Sukkot. Soon afterward two escaped convicts appear uninvited at the couple doorsteps and their outrageous behavior puts the couple’s faith to the ultimate test.
Presentation/discussion led by Laura Blum, film critic and political analyst of the Middle East.
The Syrian Bride (March 7, 2006)
Director: Eran Riklis(2004)
Mona’ s wedding day is also the saddest day of her life. Once she crosses the border between Israel and Syria she will not be able to return to her Druze village in the Galilee in Israel. The story is told from her older sister’s point of view, an energetic strong woman trapped in tradition.
Presentation/discussion led by Laura Blum, film critic and political analyst of the Middle East.
Campfire (March 28, 2006)
Director Joseph Cedar
Winner of 6 Israeli Academy Awards including Best Picture,2000
Set in 1981, a widowed mother of two teenage girls would like to join a religious settlement and has to prove that she is a worthy candidate by meeting religious and ideological standards . This process is being further complicated by her rebellious older daughter’s behavior, the personal trauma that her youngest daughter faces and her growing friendship with the new man in her life.
Presentation/discussion led by Dr. Miri Talmon-Bohm, a Wesleyan visiting associate professor and an Israeli film specialist.
Bonjour Mr. Shlomi (April 4, 2006)
Written and directed by by Shemi Zarhin (2004)
16 year old Shlomi is a gifted youth who prefers to use his special talents, especially his gift of cooking, to keep his turbulent family together and to develop his love interest with the new girl next door. When Shlomi get the sudden opportunity to develop his own unique talents, he has to decide whether to take it or not.
“Charming! Upbeat! Spirited Performances” Los Angles Times.Presentation/discussion led by Dr. Miri Talmon-Bohm, a Wesleyan visiting associate professor and an Israeli film specialist.