Israeli cinema and television are only getting better and better! Courtesy of Time Out Israel.I love Israeli movies, so one of my great pleasures is visiting family and friends in Israel and asking about the latest cinema – or even watching films on yes Studios with the true film aficionados – and gathering my list of what to watch when I get back to Philadelphia.
First off, it is important to realize that Israel has a history of movie productions, both by foreign and Israeli directors and actors, dating back to at least 1935, as discussed in Tony Shaw and Giora Goodman’s recent book, Hollywood and Israel: A History. Since then, at least ten film schools and seven international film festivals have become part of the Israel world of film, and Israel has been nominated for more Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film than any other country in the Middle East.
A good jumping off point for what people are watching in Israel and may or may not have seen in the USA!
What is “hot” in Israel? My friends in Haifa like When Heroes Fly (2018), Waltz with Bashir (2008), Zero Motivation (2014), Your Honor (2017), Prisoners of War (2009-2012), and False Flag (2015), the last of which is now being made into an English production. Likely, a couple of these may be available in the USA on Netflix, Apple+, and especially YouTube
My friends and family in the Tel Aviv area – always having more to say than those in the north! – cast their votes for popular Israeli series and films in two categories:
- Have made it to the USA, such as Shtisel (2013-2021), Fauda (2015, with another season almost ready), Autonomies (2018 and one of my favorites, a show about the Haredi breaking off Jerusalem from Israel), Srugim (2008-2012), Hashoter Hatov (2015-2019 and one of my least favorites, but wildly popular in Israel- I guess they like police humor!), False Flag, and of course, The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (2021), which I may have run into the next season’s filming while visiting Israel.
- Newer films and series like Tehran (2020), a big hit. In addition, Our Boys (2019), a tough one about the murder of an Arab teenager, Valley of Tears (2020), about soldiers during the Yon Kippur War, and Losing Alice (2020), which I watched on yes Studios in Israel and it is worth seeing when here on Apple TV+. And finally, Manayek (2020), a show about police corruption. America (2022) and Barren (2022) are two new films that may not be available yet but are coming soon (maybe!). I was also put on notice by my 18-year-old niece, Maya, that Ari Folman’s animated film, Where is Anne Frank (2021), will go into general release after the Animation Festival in Amsterdam. A must see by somebody 50+ years younger than me!
How can you tap into the Israel film market directly? The answer is a bit complex, particularly if Hebrew is a challenge. The best way is through attending local Israeli film festivals or as we have always done, wait for the next episodes to be translated and shown on cable or on the Internet (YouTube, in particular).
Until next time, watch as many as you can and let me know your thoughts. And of course, share your recommendations!