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 ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]