Amos Gitai up for Golden Lion in Venice
Israeli director to participate in prestigious film festival's official competition with his new movie 'Ana Arabia,' which was shot in one take. Director Yuval Adler to screen his debut film 'Bethlehem' at festival's independently-run Venice Days event
According to the Italian festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, Gitai accomplished his mission successfully and is now nominated for the highest prize given to a film at the festival, which runs from August 28 to September 7.
Gitai, 62, shot "Ana Arabia" after completing his work on a personal project, "Lullaby to My Father," which he dedicated to his father, architect Munio Weinraub.
Yuval Scharf in 'Ana Arabia' (Photo: Dan Bronfeld)
"Ana Arabia," which was shot in one 81-minute take by Giora Bejach, stars Yuval Scharf, Yussuf Abuwarda, Norman Issa, Uri Gavriel, Assi Levy, Shady Srur, Sarah Adler and others.
The film follows seven characters living on the Jaffa-Bat Yam border in a community isolated from the real estate reality of the surrounding city. The arrival of a young journalist who meets with the residents evokes passions, trauma and disappointments from the past.
Norman Issa, Yussuf Abuwarda and Uri Gavriel in 'Ana Arabia' (Photo: Dan Bronfeld)
The Venice Film Festival, one of the most important events in the world of cinema, will be welcoming another Israeli filmmaker – director Yuval Adler and his debut movie "Bethlehem."
The film will be screened as part of the independently-run Venice Days event modeled on the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight format.
"Bethlehem," Adler's debut movie, tells the story of Sanfur (Shhadi Maryee), a teenager from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, who serves as a Shin Bet informant and develops a close and special relationship with his Israeli operator, Razi (Tsahi Halevi).
A suicide bombing in Jerusalem puts their relationship to a test, dragging Sanfur to a dead end when he is forced to deal with his family and the terror groups in his city.
Shhadi Maryee and Tsahi Halevi in 'Bethlehem' (Photo: Vered Adir)
Adler wrote the movie's script together with journalist Ali Waked, who also appears in the film for a moment as a Yedioth Ahronoth reporter. The film also stars Michal Shtamler and Hitham Omari.
"Bethlehem" has been nominated in the Best Film category by the Israeli Academy of Film and Television and is seen as having good chances to win an Ophir Award (the Israeli Oscar) and represent Israel in the Academy Awards ceremony.
The film is scheduled to hit the screens in Israel on September 26.
