Movie picks

July 6, 2008 - 8:49 PM by Jessica · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Art, General, History and Culture

It’s Jerusalem Film Festival season and as usual, I’m somewhat obsessed with figuring out which movies I want to see, with whom and when. I know I’m not alone in this JFF excitement, given that I see other people around town, carrying their Film Festival guides, whether from the paper or purchased, pages thumbed and earmarked.
This year is the 25th anniversary of the international film festival, which was created by the Jerusalem Cinematheque and screens dozens of Israeli and foreign films from around the world at several theaters in town, from July 10 through 19, including Moonlight Cinema, the free, night-time movies shown at the city’s old train station.

Taking in some flicks at the festival is always a great way to celebrate summer, starting with the opening night film that is shown on a giant screen in Sultan’s Pool, a valley shadowed by walls of the Old City. It’s a dramatic scene, even when the fare is family-friendly, such as this year’s choice, Pixar’s Wall-E.

Yet the rest of the festival is a rich smorgasbord of options, from the typical foreign fare of France, Italy Spain and England, to Asian titles, Scandinavian screenings and a wide choice of more select American films, as well as local films on a variety of subjects, from Arab-Jewish relations to more standard cultural fare about Israeli life.

Each year, I relish the opportunity to see films that wouldn’t necessarily reach these parts, whether it’s something I’ve read about, or a movie that piques my interest, but wouldn’t necessarily be my usual choice for a flick. It’s also a chance to be out in the city with other Jerusalemites as well as visitors, appreciating a city that doesn’t always get kudos for its cultural offerings.

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