Film review

Moving, complex ‘Valley of Shadows’ explores culture clash in the Himalayas - review

Combined with the spectacular photography and compelling performances by the entire cast, many of whom are non-professionals, the movie takes us on a moving journey.

‘VALLEY OF SHADOWS’ tells the story of a Spanish tourist who ends up spending months in a tiny isolated village.
Director Rachel Israel, right, and producer Shai Korman arrive at the premiere of "The Floaters" during the 2025 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival,  Aug. 3, 2025.

With two current films, director Rachel Israel offers comic relief for Jewish trauma

Iris Haim, the mother of Yotam Haim, who was shot by IDF troops after escaping from captivity in Gaza.

In an extraordinary choice, Iris Haim refused to let Hamas claim another victim - opinion

OR AVINOAM (left) and Riki Reif Sinai in ‘Cuz You’re Ugly.’

In 'Cuz You're Ugly,' Israeli director Sharon Angelhart tells the story she never saw on screen


'The Blue Caftan': An unusual love triangle in Morocco - review

Silk is at the center of a moving drama about a couple in a small Moroccan city who make silk caftans in their workshop, which turns into an unusual love triangle.

 SCENE from 'The Blue Caftan'

‘Kiss Me Kosher’ tells a comic story of an Israeli-German couple - film review

It’s a typically irreverent joke in a movie that is a mixture of a rom-com and a more serious look at how Israelis deal with prejudice and the past, which is now playing in theaters.

 A SCENE from ‘Kiss Me Kosher.’

A young woman displays extraordinary courage in ‘Irena’s Vow’ - review

Irena’s Vow gives us a look into the life of the kind of person we all hope we would be if we found ourselves tested like this.

 SOPHIE NELISSE plays the role of the heroine of ‘Irena’s Vow.’

The French Festival in Israel comes of age with diverse mix of films - review

This year's festival features a wide variety of films, mixing classics with contemporary films and star-studded casts.

 A scene from 'The Crime is Mine.'

‘The Other Widow’: A complex story of two women

It’s appropriate that the movie opened just in time for International Women’s Day, although of course Rypp never imagined it would be released during wartime.

 A SCENE from ‘The Other Widow’ with Ania Bukstein (left) and Dana Ivgy.

Hipsters will love 'Robot Dreams' - review

Recreating the East Village of decades ago will be fun for adult viewers, but not for the vast majority of children, so ignore how appealing this movie looks on the poster and don’t bring your kids.

 ROBOT DREAMS

New film 'Shoshana' tells a love story in the shadow of history - review

The movie uses a newsreel format to give the story historical context and to lay out the many different factions who fought each other during the pre-state years.

 MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM’S ‘Shoshana.’ might have worked better as a mini-series than a movie, the writer opines.

'A Difficult Year': An easy-to-enjoy film hits Israel - review

Since we are now experiencing a truly difficult year, it’s nice to have a movie like this to help us get through it.

 A SCENE from ‘A Difficult Year.’

The worst of times, the best of movies

Here are my 10 best international films this year (with one exception, these all played in movie theaters in Israel), followed by the 10 best Israeli movies. 

 NANNI MORETTI'S 'A Brighter Tomorrow.'

‘Ferrari’ feels  as if it’s stuck in second gear at times - film review

The movie reinvents no wheels. But it sure knows how to film ’em.

 A SCENE from ‘Ferrari.’