ISRAELi FILM FESTIVAL

MELBOURNE: 1 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2008

A program of documentary and feature films from some of Israel's finest filmmakers

The Israeli film industry continues to consolidate its status as a major player on the international circuit, with films invited to screen at the major film festivals around the world, garnering awards from Berlin, Cannes, Moscow and Tokyo, to name but a few.

Recognising the international achievements of the Israeli film industry, the fifth AICE Israeli Film Festival presents an eclectic program of 12 documentary and feature films from some of Israel's finest filmmakers. In this the 60^th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, the Festival provides an opportunity to reflect on the industry and its subsequent influence.

The 12 films are distinctly Israeli but also have global relevance and impact, exploring the sense of belonging, whether in Israel or abroad and offer a unique insight into the lives of a society and a community beyond news headlines, moving beyond political statement, to reveal the fabric of a country and the lives of its people. From love stories to drama, action and survival, the program is a celebration of the richness and complexity of contemporary Israeli society.

Opening the Festival is the Australian premiere screening of The Secrets (Ha'Sodot), written, directed and produced by multi award winning Avi Nesher. The Secrets (Ha'Sodot) tells the story of two young women who discover their own voices in a repressive Orthodox culture where females are forbidden to sing, let alone speak out.

In addition to celebrating the contemporary Israeli film industry, the Festival is screening two of Nesher's earlier career classics - The Troupe (Ha'Lahaka) and Rage and Glory (Za'am V'Tehilah). Achieving worldwide recognition, Nesher recently received an Achievement Award from the 2007 Jerusalem Film Festival. His opening film of the 2005 AIFF, Turn Left at the End of the World (Sof Ha'Olam Smola), is the most successful home produced film at the Israeli box office of all time. The Secrets (Ha'Sodot) was awarded Best Film and Best Script at the 2008 Jackson Hole International Film Festival.

Esteemed guest of the Festival is Gal Zaid, lead actor, writer and co-producer of Foul Gesture (Tnu'a Meguna), ‘a satirical social comedy, that turns into a terrific slow-burn revenge drama ...' Screen International, and recipient of the FIPRESCI award at the 2008 Miami International Film Festival. Zaid has a long and illustrious career in Israeli film, (including No Exit - AIFF07, Sweet Mud and Giraffes). In television he has written and performed in a number of Israeli programs and series, and is currently Commissioning Editor of Film and Drama at Israel's leading commercial television company.

Foul Gesture is a magnificent story of ‘Everyman' and the frustrating fight against the system, corruption and injustice. In a moment of road-rage, an aggressive gesture at the old man driving behind them starts a series of events that would lead Michael and his family into a personal nightmare. As Michael tries to deal with what started as a relatively minor incident escalates into something which puts his life and liberty at risk.

Other films being screened include The Debt (Ha'Hov), starring Gila Almagor; Noodle, awarded the Special Grand Jury Prize winner at the Montreal Film Festival; and Vasermil, which claimed first prize over The Band's Visit (Bikor Ha'Tizmoret) for the Wolgin Award at the 2007 Jerusalem Film Festival and Just Like Your Dad (Comme ton Pere), recently received nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Script at the 2008 Israeli Academy Awards.

Established in 2004 by the Australia Israel Cultural Exchange to promote dialogue between filmmakers in Australia and Israel, the AICE Israeli Film Festival has grown significantly in the past few years. AICE not only creates the opportunity for Israeli filmmakers to show their work in Australia, but it also offers Australian filmmakers the reciprocal opportunity to show their work in Israel through the AICE Australian Film Festival. Both have been a great success with audiences, and shows the strong partnership forged between the two countries and film industries.

Full details of the Festival program will be announced in coming weeks.

AICE Israeli Film Festival 2008
1-7 September
Palace Cinema Como, South Yarra
Palace Brighton Bay, Brighton
TICKETS: $16 Full, $13.50 Conc $70 Festival Pass, $25 opening night
BOOKINGS: www.palacecinemas.com.au
Melbourne: Como: 9827 7533 // Brighton Bay: 9596 3590

ArtsZine has double passes to giveaway for a couple of screenings at Cinema Como screenings on Friday September 5:

6.45pm Just Like Your Dad
8.45pm Rage & Glory

Simply email pbp_media@netspace.net.au with your preferred screening. Entries close 5pm Tue 27 Aug.