Films & Schedules - Middle Eastern

“How exactly do six million people maintain control over several million stateless neighbors for 45 years? That’s how long the Israeli occupation of the West Bank has lasted. Some of the occupation’s instruments are obvious—border crossings, military checkpoints, soldiers on patrol. But the most vital and lethal lurk beneath the surface: the vast and ubiquitous intelligence network of the Shin Bet, Israel’s feared internal security organization. Using intelligence operatives and informants, interrogators and assassins, the directors of the Shin Bet enable Israel to fight any who take up arms—or suicide bombs—against it. Dror Moreh’s path-breaking documentary interviews six former directors...

“How exactly do six million people maintain control over several million stateless neighbors for 45 years? That’s how long the Israeli occupation of the West Bank has lasted. Some of the occupation’s instruments are obvious—border crossings, military checkpoints, soldiers on patrol. But the most vital and lethal lurk beneath the surface: the vast and ubiquitous intelligence network of the Shin Bet, Israel’s feared internal security organization. Using intelligence operatives and informants, interrogators and assassins, the directors of the Shin Bet enable Israel to fight any who take up arms—or suicide bombs—against it. Dror Moreh’s path-breaking documentary interviews six former directors who describe in chilling detail how they did this and how their bosses, Israel’s elected leaders, led the Jewish state into a deadly quagmire of unending occupation and perpetual conflict.”—Telluride Film Festival (95 mins.)

Filmography: Sharon (08)

Sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Middle Eastern, Documentary.

Leyla and Kaveh are a mysterious pair from Tehran, traveling the mountainous countryside in their Lexus coupe to push big bags of money on the locals. This turns out to be not so easy but fascinating to watch as the cagey couple invent increasingly brazen stratagems to place cash in the hands of the wary, proud, or indifferent. Will they push things too far? Are they losing sight of their mission? What exactly is their mission? This bold, perversely fascinating comedy-drama unfurls with unexpected force amid subtle themes of power, privilege, and corruption. “Setting the scene is a brilliantly shot...

Leyla and Kaveh are a mysterious pair from Tehran, traveling the mountainous countryside in their Lexus coupe to push big bags of money on the locals. This turns out to be not so easy but fascinating to watch as the cagey couple invent increasingly brazen stratagems to place cash in the hands of the wary, proud, or indifferent. Will they push things too far? Are they losing sight of their mission? What exactly is their mission? This bold, perversely fascinating comedy-drama unfurls with unexpected force amid subtle themes of power, privilege, and corruption. “Setting the scene is a brilliantly shot comic opener that starts the game over-the-top, in a tone which only gets shriller and wilder as the story goes on. By far the director’s most daring work.”—Hollywood Reporter (100 mins.)

Selected Filmography: Abadan (04), Men at Work (06), Canaan (08)

Modest Reception is co-presented by the Global Film Initiative and is part of the Global Lens 2013 film series.

Sponsored by Javanan Magazine, Portland.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Middle Eastern, Comedy.

A deadbeat Israeli inventor and his estranged teenage daughter try to reconcile their differences in this delicate blend of poignant coming-of-age drama and offbeat comedy. After years living in California with her mother and stepfather, sharp-witted but introverted 13-year-old Libi returns to Israel to spend time with her unemployed and homeless father Shaul. With the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, Shaul devises a scheme to put a roof over their heads by posing as war refugees until they are taken in by a well-off family in Jerusalem. As the masquerade wears thin, the bemusing circumstances give way to a...

A deadbeat Israeli inventor and his estranged teenage daughter try to reconcile their differences in this delicate blend of poignant coming-of-age drama and offbeat comedy. After years living in California with her mother and stepfather, sharp-witted but introverted 13-year-old Libi returns to Israel to spend time with her unemployed and homeless father Shaul. With the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, Shaul devises a scheme to put a roof over their heads by posing as war refugees until they are taken in by a well-off family in Jerusalem. As the masquerade wears thin, the bemusing circumstances give way to a bourgeoning father-daughter bond forged by a shared talent for telling “off-white lies.” (86 mins.)

First Feature.

Winner of the Best Actor Award and nominated for six other Israeli Ophirs including Best Film, Director, and Screenplay.

Sponsored by the Consulate of Israel and San Francisco.

FILM REVIEW

Interests: Narrative Feature, Middle Eastern, Comedy.