A clash of cultures is at the core of this uplifting documentary. A young Israeli couple who are emissaries of the Chabad Movement are sent to Vietnam – on a one-way ticket- to encourage and create a Jewish community in this Communist country.

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Recently, many young Israelis have been drawn to an intense ultra-religious way of life. “After All you are Just a Guest” is about those who have chosen the path to, what they consider to be a deeper, more meaningful and more colorful way of life.

Ron Ofer is perhaps the last of his friends who didn’t make this religious leap. Nonetheless, he accompanies his childhood friends on their pious journey from Jerusalem to Uman to visit the sacred grave.

The film examines from within one of the most important phenomena of our times; the search for spirituality and one’s “roots”, while it questions what is “authentic” in a world where spirituality has become a commodity.

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A religious family from Jerusalem receives a strange guest for the Sabbath: Sveta, a young Russian woman undergoing conversion. A downward spiral of tragedy and violence ensues.

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When the residents of a small Jewish village come together to stage their annual adaptation of the Book of Esther, life imitates art in this Israeli musical comedy that will have the whole family laughing. Though generally a traditional play, this year’s performance gets a contemporary twist as the actors merge their own personalities with the actions of their characters to offer a unique take on an age-old tale. Adapted from the classic Yiddish play by Itzik Manger.

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Moshe and Mali, a barren Orthodox couple, find themselves totally broke and destitute on the eve of the Jewish Holy day of Succot. As they pray desperately to the Lord to save them, the impossible happens. Their prayer is heard and they accidentally receive a charitable donation. A miracle however, doesn’t come without a test. Two escaped convicts appear uninvited on the couple’s doorstep. The outrageous behavior of these unholy messengers puts Moshe and Mali’s faith to the ultimate test.

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Over the course of 11 years, the director turned on his camera every Yom Kippur, looking at his surroundings and himself. He presents Yom Kippur as a microcosm of the state and gives new perspective on Jewish tradition.

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An old man is dying. His carer Noel sits quietly by his side. Dina, the man’s granddaughter, appears in an animal costume. She raids the fridge and then goes off to have fun with her friends. When she returns late at night, her grandfather is dead. Dina and Noel lovingly stroke the man’s hands, comb his hair, smoke a cigarette, share a laugh and then go out into the night time city. Loud electronic music awaits them in a club. As the sun rises they leap into the sea’s clear, cleansing waters. Their night of farewell is also a new beginning. Dina and Noel finds unconventional cinematic means to portray the attitude to life among young Israelis.

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Valentina, 87, is looking forward to a Shabbat family lunch at her beloved grandson’s home, but, regretfully, her daughter forgets to pick her up. One family. Four generations. A circle of life.  

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