Archives

Jews Now

An Israeli mosaic that spreads from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, through the settlement of the Keddumin and the kibbutzim in the North, focusing on fathers and their sons and the way that Judaism, as a religion, is passed down from one generation to the next, for better or worse.

Jeannette

Jeannette Ordman is a petite, aristocratic and powerful woman, who dedicated her life to dance and to her dogs. The film “Jeannette” presents the exclusive story of her life: a combination of contrary worlds. On the one hand, an uncompromising sisyphean and exhausting work in the Israeli dance world; on the other, a long and special relationship with the Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild.

Kafka’s Last Story

Upon his death from tuberculosis at the age of 41, Kafka left his will to his closest friend Max Brod: “Dearest Max, my last request: everything I leave behind me… to be burned unread… Yours, Franz Kafka” Ten years later Brod caught the last train leaving Prague, escaping the Nazis, and immigrated to Israel. From his new home in Tel Aviv he edits and distributes Kafka’s writings and transforms him from a writer – to a cultural phenomenon. But the fate of Kafka’s invaluable writings is now in the hands of two unstable women who keep the archives in substandard conditions in their rundown Tel Aviv apartment. This film is a detective story; an adventure that crosses geographical boundaries, as well as cultural and chronological ones; an exploration beginning early in the 20th century, and continuing to this day.

A Secular Pilgrim in Jerusalem

One morning in Jerusalem, Elena wakes up to the emptiness of her life. Forty-five years old, no children, and no faith. Elena embarks on a cautious journey among the world’s three monotheistic religions, all found in the streets of her city. The well-trodden road changes constantly. Unexpected meetings challenge her beliefs. What will she find at the end of the road? Will it be the answer she has been looking for?

The Lady of the Court

A rare peek into the life of Rivka Paluch, an ultra-Orthodox woman and political journalist who acted as a liaison between former-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel.

These Are My Names

Ethiopian Jews’ multiple names reflect the richness, wisdom and beauty of their culture — and every name tells a story. In the film, young Ethiopian Israelis share their journeys toward their names: stories of love and connection, survival and loss, anger and pride. The characters’ original names – changed without their consent upon arrival in Israel – take them back to their childhoods in mountain villages, to the hunger and fear in Sudan, to longing for loved ones who died or disappeared on the journey to Israel, to denial of their identity… and reclamation of their roots.

My Fantasia

My Fantasia is director Duki Dror’s own family story. The three Darwish brothers, who emigrated from Iraq to Israel in the 50’s, established the family factory “Fantasia” – a menorah factory. For a time period of 50 years they designed, manufactured and shipped Chanukah menorahs for the entire world and now…the family factory is about to close down. Duki, who is the son of the youngest brother, is starting to embark on a journey that unravels the history of his family, going back 100 years. The story weaves memories from Iraq and Israel – two homelands, two languages, two identities, two enemies.