Israeli Films at Ames Public Library
Today is 12/2/2008
In Hebrew with English captions, unless otherwise noted.
Alex in Love [Alex Holeh Ahavaha] (DVD FOREIGN ALE) In Hebrew and English, with Hebrew captions. 88 min. 1986.
Set in the early years of Israeli independence, this romantic comedy is about the pains and pleasures of youthful love.
Alila (DVD FOREIGN ALI) 122 min. 2003.
For the apartment dwellers, every action creates a ripple unknowingly felt by all. Libertine Gabi’s violence with her lover Hezi brings the wrath of their neighbors. Mali joins her ex-husband Ezra to search for their son, an army deserter. Ezra’s illegal construction site and undocumented immigrants prompt the hermit Schwartz to relive the horrors of the Nazi death camps.
Aviya’s Summer (DVD FOREIGN AVI) In Hebrew with English, Hebrew, German, and Russian captions. 91 min. 1988.
This is Gila Almagor’s autobiographical film about a Holocaust survivor who immigrates with her daughter to the newly founded Israeli state. Aviya is a spunky 10-year-old girl who, like her mother, has survived persecution.
Band’s Visit (DVD FOREIGN BAN) In Hebrew, Arabic and English. 87 min. 2007.
An Egyptian orchestra arrives in Israel to play an important cultural event only to find themselves in the wrong town. As the band settles in the best it can, each of the members attempts to get along with the natives in their own way. What follows is a special night of quiet happenings and confessions as the band makes its own impact on the town and the town on them.
The Barbecue People [Ha-Mangalistim] (DVD FOREIGN BAR) In Hebrew with English, French, and Hebrew captions. 86 min. 2005.
An Iraqi Jewish family celebrates Israel’s 40th Independence Day around the picnic barbeque. Stories of the family intersect in encounters that lead to the Mediterranean port city of Ashod, where the family comes to terms with its past and looks to the future. Suspenseful and entertaining, this was nominated for 11 Israeli Film Academy Awards.
Beaufort (DVD FOREIGN BEA) 126 min. 2007.
A young group of Israeli soldiers must try to survive until they are pulled out of Lebanon, and protect a fortress that is sacred to Israelis and Arabs alike.
Berlin Jerusalem (DVD FOREIGN BER) In multiple languages with English captions. 85 min. 1989.
This drama of Israel's birth focuses on two women: Ella Lasker-Schuler, a German poet; and Tania Shohat, a Russian revolutionary. They meet in Berlin, where utopian ideas and fear of the Nazis force their escape to Palestine. Re-united in Jerusalem, they confront a harsh reality in the city idealized in their dreams.
Birth of a Golem [Naissance d’un Golem] (DVD FOREIGN BIR) In French with English captions. 60 min. 1990.
Amos Gitai’s dreamlike film “notebook” stars Annie Lennox of The Eurythmics in an exploration of the Golem myth. The myth of the clay statue that comes to life is a platform for a parable about filmmaking and creativity.
Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi [Ha-Kochavim Shel Shlomi] (DV D FOREIGN BON) 94 min. 2004.
Sixteen-year-old Shlomi lives with his mother, his soldier brother, and his grandfather. Although not doing well in school, Shlomi is a gifted cook and takes care of most household chores. His school’s principal finds out that Shlomi is actually a genius and tries to get him into a more challenging course of study. However, he prefers to take care of his family and pursue the beautiful girl next door.
Brave Detective Schwartz (DVD FOREIGN BRA) In Hebrew with English and Hebrew captions. 95 min. 2005.
Kahana, a banker, suspects his wife is having an affair with the devious Dr. Lux. He hires the notorious Detective Schwartz to catch the cheating couple, but it is not going to be easy. Will Dr. Lux bamboozle everyone and win Kahana’s wife as well? This comedy is the winner of 3 Israeli Film Academy Awards.
Broken Wings [Knafayim Shvurot] (DVD FOREIGN BRO) 84 min. 2002.
An Israeli mother wrestles with her own grief and that of her four children while working two jobs to keep her family together after the death of her husband. Winner of 9 Israeli Film Academy Awards.
Next Page >> |