The festival is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 3 by popular Nepali actor/comedians Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bamsha Acharya.
The award winning Israeli film “Late Marriage” will be shown on the opening day. The screening will be open to the public May 4 onwards.
The statement further says, “The selected films have been screened at prestigious festivals around the world and are a window to modern Israeli culture. It reflects the colorful cultures of Israel and Jewish traditions.”
Through the three day festival based on the theme of ‘diversity in Israeli Society’, the Embassy of Israel hopes to strengthen cultural ties between Israel and Nepal.
Entry to the event is free and passes are available at the Embassy of Israel, Kathmandu and at the Russian Culture Centre on the day of the show.
Screening schedule:
May 4, 3.00 pm Desperado Square (2001) Director: Benny Toraty
Morris Mandabon made a vow never to screen movies at his neighborhood theatre, but on the one year anniversary of his death, Morris visits his youngest son Nissim (Nir Levy) in a dream and urges him to re-open the theatre.
Thus begins a moving and sensitively wrought Israeli drama that touches on themes of memory, family, and cultural obligation. Winner of 5 Israeli Academy Awards, Benny Toraty’s drama also boasts a talented ensemble cast and a spirited soundtrack of ethnic music.
May 4, 5.30 pm Day After Day (1998) Director: Amos Gitai
A slice of life - day after day - in Haifa, where Moshe and Didi’s marriage is on the rocks, affairs are casual, and Moshe’s angst about health, his parents, sex, communication, and business are pervasive and existential.
Moshe’s mother is Jewish, his father an Arab; his father may or may not sell ancestral land; his wife and mistress have lovers, one is a close friend; much of Moshe’s surroundings seem under construction or in renovation. A cousin watches a security monitor without comment. Is there allegory in this portrait of an anxious Israeli approaching middle age?
James’ Journey to Jerusalem (2003)
Director: Ra’anan Alexandrowicz
A Christian African discovers the rough realities of the Western world during his spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem in this poignant satire. James (an impressive Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe) yearns to be a pastor, so he travels from his small village to Jerusalem to experience the holiest of cities.
The plans change, though, when the innocent, dreadlocked pilgrim is denied entrance into the city and locked in a cell with other immigrants. A new journey begins when James is bailed out by a stranger who introduces the boy to the corruptions of capitalism.
May 5, 5.30 pm Ushpizin(2003) Director: Gidi Dar
Moshe and Mali, a barren Orthodox couple, find themselves totally broke and destitute on the eve of the Jewish Holy day of Succot. As they pray desperately to the Lord to save them, the impossible happens. Their prayer is heard and they accidentally receive a charitable donation.
A miracle however, doesn’t come without a test. Two escaped convicts appear uninvited on the couple’s doorstep. The outrageous behavior of these unholy messengers puts Moshe and Mali’s faith to the ultimate test.
May 6, 3.00 pm Columbian Love (2004) Director: Shay Kanot
A notorious Casanova, Zidane happily leads a life unlike that of his two friends Omer and Uri who endure the agony of commitment -- until a beautiful Colombian woman from Zidane’s past pulls him into the romantic fray.
Now, as the three men attempt to decipher the mysteries of women, they’re forever reminded that love frequently offers up equal doses of happiness and misery in this lighthearted Israeli comedy.
May 6, 5.30 pm Late Marriage (2001) Director: Dover Koshashvili
Yasha and Lili would like ZaZa, their 32 years old son to be married the Georgian way and tradition. Every night they set out to check yet another potential bride. Zaza charms them but at the critical moment, he ruins everything. Zaza is madly in love with Judith, a single mother with a 6 years old daughter. When Zaza’s parents find out about their son’s secret affair, all hell breaks loose...