1341 Frames of Love and War

Dir.: Ran Tal

In this intimate artist portrait and meditation on memory, Israel’s most celebrated photojournalist reflects on a lifetime of searing images that have defined his nation. For over 60 years, Micha Bar-Am had a central role documenting Israel’s tumultuous history, from the Eichmann trial to the endemic Arab-Israeli wars. Powerful, often painful moments are conveyed through an artful assembly of iconic snapshots, enlargements and contact sheets. Voiceover by Bar-Am—self-doubting, and often interrupted by his scolding wife and archivist Orna—reveals the personal toll of a wearying career recording trauma. With unfettered access to a vast archive of negatives, filmmaker Ran Tal’s uniquely sensory experience exposes the beauty and horror revealed by the photographic image.

Closed Circuit

Dir.: Tal Inbal

In this pulse-pounding deconstruction of a terrorist attack, raw security camera footage and gripping eyewitness testimonies chronicle the deadly June 2016 Sarona Market shooting in Tel Aviv. Two Palestinian gunmen, dressed in suits, fired on shocked diners at the upscale food hall, leaving four dead, scores injured, and lives forever traumatized. In the hellish chaos, a girl escapes but loses her father; a family’s Ramadan meal is shattered; Arab and Jewish restaurant workers seek shelter; a cop unwittingly harbors a fleeing terrorist; and a courageous patron fights back. An inconceivable scenario is confronted with unnerving intensity, prompting audiences to speculate: in the face of death, what would I do?

Barren

Dir.: Rabbi Mordechai Vardi

Desperate for a baby, an ultra-Orthodox couple confronts a devastating trauma that threatens to tear them apart, in this powerful, heartbreaking Israeli drama based on true events. Faigi (Mili Eshet) and her husband Naftali (Yoav Rotman) have spent years fruitlessly trying to conceive, focusing on prayer over fertility treatments. The childless couple lives with his parents much to Faigi’s dismay, as she longs for independence and privacy. When Naftali pilgrims to Ukraine to pray, a charismatic rabbi (Gil Frank) claiming healing powers exploits the family’s trust with sinister consequences. Featuring a gifted ensemble, this deep-dive examination of faith and marriage is the utterly engrossing debut fiction work of documentarian Rabbi Mordechai Vardi.

Children of Nobody

Dir.: Erez Tadmor

Living on the fringes of Israeli society, troubled boys must band together to save the shelter for at-risk youth that has kept them off the streets. For generations, altruistic surrogate mother, Margalit (Tiki Dayan), provided loving refuge to victims of neglect and violence in a shabby house on Tel Aviv’s outskirts. When tragedy strikes, it’s up to right-hand man Jackie (Roy Assaf) to keep the home from corrupt property developers, and assuage a social worker’s scrutiny. With tough love from “big brother” Jackie, the young men must now be accountable for their own lives, and save their refuge from a dire fate. Inspired by a true story, this compassionate drama gives voice to those on the periphery, often unnoticed and uncared for.

Cinema Sabaya

Dir.: Orit Fouks Rotem

Israel’s official Oscar entry, Orit Fouks Rotem’s deft and heartfelt debut brings together disparate Arab and Jewish women who learn self-expression through the power of film. Young Tel Aviv–based filmmaker Rona (Dana Ivgy) teaches a documentary workshop to the residents of Hadera. The women—both secular and religious, reflecting contemporary Israeli society—film their daily activities and routines. At the outset, tempers flare because of cultural misunderstandings, but the students soon form an empowering bond over shared experiences. The casting features a mix of seasoned and nonprofessional actors, each shooting and sharing footage for the first time onscreen. Nominated for eight Israeli Academy Awards with wins for Best Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress.