Shalom,

As promised here are some of my hightlights of the 12th Jerusalem film

Festival that just ended. As usual, there were 180 films screened roughly

divided into the following categories:Israeli cinema, panorama which

includes films from around the world which have appeared at other festivals

for the most part,Short films, animation,documentaries, retrospective -

this year Buster Keaton, restored or newly found films. What a splendiferous

pot pourri of sheer big-screen joy. You could "read" that last sentence

as hperbolic.

SHARAKU  JAPAN MASATO HARA   1995

A wonderfully picturesque film about an anonymous artist who painted Kabuki

actors in 1794. Nothing is known about his life. This film makes up a

possible biography and is a costume drama of incredible beauty.It also

offers many glimpses into the Kabuki theater tradition.

 

SMOKE. U.S. WAYNE WANG 1995

BASED on the stories by Paul Auster who co-wrote the script and starring

William Hurt, Harvey Keitel, Stoppard Channing & Forest Whitaker it is

an intelligent and highly satisfying film. Somewhat similar in structure

as Altman's SHORT CUTS, it illustrates a writer's life in Brooklyn and

his interactions with the inhabitants. Wonderfully acted. Keitel and

Hurt are big favorites here in Israel. All their movies are well attended

and the big hall was overflowing despite the fact that there were no

Hebrew subtitles.

 

SEPTEMBER SONGS; THE MUSIC OF KURT WEILL. CANADA. LARRY WEINSTEIN.1995

One of these documentaries that make you say I didn't know he wrote that

and I didn't realize that his theater music was so jazzy. It was done

using both opera singers (theresa Strats) and jazz groups and rock

singers. What a treat!

 

HOOP DREAMS was well attended and quite a treat.

Have to go to work.

If you want more, don't hesitate to ask.

Peace

Harriet Kasow [log in to unmask]

Video Librarian

Hebrew University

Jerusalem

 

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