To mark Israel’s 60th anniversary — currently being celebrated throughout the city in a wide variety of cultural events — the Film Society presents this survey of the most remarkable decade yet for Israeli cinema, offering a first-hand reflection on the country's history and ongoing legacy.
The beginnings of the modern Zionist movement were practically simultaneous with the invention of the cinema itself, so that filmmaking became a naturally growing presence within the Palestine settlements. Filmmakers documented the development of Jewish communities and institutions, and films were used to create support for the Zionist movement internationally. Since the founding of the state of Israel, its filmmakers have continued in this effort of cinematic nation building, only now in a more reflective and often critical mode.
Israeli films have confronted the complex and often painful issues that have shaped the nation’s first 60 years—the ongoing conflicts with neighboring Arab states, historical and contemporary relations with Palestinians, cultural differences among Israel’s myriad Jewish communities—with a sobering and, for some, upsetting candor. The past ten years, especially, have witnessed a remarkable flowering of Israeli cinema. The country has earned numerous awards at international film festivals and now enjoys a familiar placement in art film circuits.
For a listing of the films in the series go to Program Overview.
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Calendar to view the schedule and to purchase tickets online.
Free Panel Discussion
But is it Jewish? Contemplating Contemporary Israeli Cinema
Tue June 3 at 6:30pm The Jewish Museum
Noted panelists consider Israeli and Jewish filmmaking: Are all Israeli movies Jewish films? What are the similarities and differences? These provocative questions frame a discussion about Israeli cinema. Moderated by noted critic Leslie Camhi. Panelists include Columbia University professor Uri S. Cohen, writer and film programmer David D’Arcy and screenwriter Noah Stollman. The Jewish Museum is located at 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street; phone: 212.423.3200 for more information about this event.
The Israel @ 60 film series was organized by the Film Society of Lincoln Center in collaboration with the Jewish Museum and Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. Special thanks to the Consulate General of Israel, especially Yoram Morad and Shani Hashaviah, for their support. The series was programmed by Richard Peña.
