We're Back ...
Hi, its Carole just back from the Jerusalem Film Festival where we brought back lots of films to screen for our upcoming Other Israel Film Festival in November, I, along with my husband Saul, Yitzi Zablocki, Ravit Turjeman and Mohammad Bakri are headed out to Fire Island for a difficult weekend of fishing, eating, watching movies and rating them to see which makes it to the festival. I know it's hard work but somebody has to do it ...
The Jerusalem Film Festival is a happening, with films all day long, a gorgeous restaurant in the middle and everyone who is anyone in the film world hopping from table to table. I met Gila Almagor who was incredibly impressed that I was married to the owner of Zabar's. I thought that was pretty funny. My husband Saul joined me for the second week I was in Israel and when he watched Chaim Yavins TV series on the Bedouins in the Negev his face was wet with tears.
My daughter Rachel joined me for the first week at the festival and spent time watching The Heart of Jenin a story about a father of a Palestinian boy from Jenin who was killed by Israeli soldiers and who decided to donate his child's organs to children within Israel. She went with Mohammad's gorgeous son Ziad and cousin Alex - she was very moved and then went partying with them who knows for how long.
After the festival last year I went to Israel in December and watched Sayed Kashua's tv show with an Arab family that I know well. Despite the fact that we all laughed during the show- they all found it disturbing (bad Arab stereotypes). This argument persisted for a while in Israel and then died down as the show became a hit. Other Israel brought Sayed Kashua for three events including the screen of a show not yet seen in Israel. We were sold out for all three events. Sayed stayed with us and wrote about his experiences in his weekly column in Haaretz.
We announced the opening of the Israel Film Center - more to be said in the coming blogs. As my six year old grand daughter says "catch you later."
- Carole
Comments:
Carole, I can't wait to participate of this film festival. It seems extremely interesting. I really love the story of how you and Mohammed made it happen, you had a dream and you made it true and that is simply inspiring. By getting closer to the Israeli and Palestinian cultures I too feel as if my dream was becoming true and I appreciated your open heart and friendship.Since I live in Baltimore I know it might be challenging to volunteer during week days at the film festival but I am prepared to volunteer the days of the film festival or at least the weekend.I will submit my application shortly.Warm regards your friend in Baltimore, Carol Velandia
No comment. Question. I teach a video production class at the Millbrook School. I would like to bring several students to the festival. Will discussions be in English? I assume all films have English subtitles. Sincerely, Laurie
I attended a vast part of the Festival last year and loved it and admire you so much for your work. I cannot wait for this year's event. I was touched by my discussions with Palestinian film-makers who I found to be quite sad about the future. When I mentioned this to you, you told me that I should not feel demoralized by the negative and sad impression I got from one particular man who you are very friendly with and who stays with you in your apartment and in Fire Island. His film was extremely touching about visiting his fater's grave and reminiscing about their life and history. It also showed his wife and children. Do you know who i am referrfing to? Will he be at the festival ? What is his name? Also an EXTRAODINARY film of am exquisite song being sung by a male singer (I believe he was playing a guitar) of his hope for peace? I do not recall the name but I willnever forget the beauty of his song and his clear passion as he sang for peace. Is that performance obtainable on CD. Who was the singer. Actually,I believe there were 2! One was Palestinian and one was Israeli? WHO WERE THEY!!!THEY WERE SO BEAUTIFUL! I cried !THANK YOU CAROL FOR THIS BLESSING OF A FESTIVAL!!!
all of the films have subtitles
carole it is always wonderful to hear from you. I want to share the wonderful evening that we spent this past August when Mohammad was here to judge films with Ravit Itzi and myself and we all ended up having dinner with you, my husband Saul my friend Jessica and Waheed. Lots of drinking talking and laughing. See you soon
Dear Phyliss, i will look at last years films to jog my memory about who the singer was.The Palestinian film maker that you mention was my good friend Mohammad Bakri. He will not be at the festival because he is starring in a film by another palestinian film maker Michel Khleifi and they are shooting the film all November. However, Mohammad's son Ziad will be here and we are showing six short films in which he starts. Ziad is also quite gorgeous. See you soon
Although I have two weddings to attend this weekend, I am going to move long pre-scheduled engagements around in order to see at least two of the Other Israel films. I have called friends and relatives and urged them to join me. Keep up the good work Carole. We need to break stereotypes, raise awareness and support any collaboration between Jews and Arabs in Israel and the art world is where it is the most poignant and emotionally satistying. Edna Fast, The Luna Art Fund
Dear Edna, I thank you so much for coming to the festival and encouraging friends to come as well. I am tremendously emotional today in the wake of the election and I hope that our festival in some small measure can wake up american jews to what can be achieved by inclusiveness. American jews who are afraid that the festival is Israel bashing have it all wrong. I love Israel and can only hope that Israel can achieve what america has in this election-electing a black man where his race was never the main issue.