Haifa International Film Festival

‘Hager (Land),’ an epic story of Ethiopian immigrants, wins Best Israeli Film at Haifa fest

Beru’s film tells the story of Ethiopian Jews facing a dangerous journey to Israel against a backdrop of political upheaval and violence.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
FROM LEFT: ‘Hager (Land)’ director Shmuel Beru, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, producer Nurit Negisa Beru, and costume designer Elmalem Maspen.
ALBERTO SCIAMMA at the Haifa festival: "Hopefully, [the film] appeals to the heart, and then people bring their own feelings and experiences to it."

Spanish director Alberto Sciamma brings his allegorical film, ‘Cielo,’ to Haifa Film Festival

While the landscapes of Bolivia are spectacular, the film shows how harsh life can be there.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
GOLAZIN ARDESTANI attends the Haifa festival this week.

Iranian singer Gola brings message of hope to Haifa International Film Festival

Iranian singer Gola sang alongside Yuval Raphael, a Nova festival survivor, at the opening of the Haifa International Film Festival on Saturday.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
AVI NESHER at the podium at his tribute.

Haifa International Film Festival opens with emotional tribute to Avi Nesher

Our Loves received a standing ovation, and the tribute referenced Nesher’s personal and professional connections to the festival in a way that was especially meaningful.

|ByHANNAH BROWN

French actress stars in the Holocaust drama 'Memory of Pain'

French acctress, Melanie Thierry stars as Marguerite Duras in 'Memoir of Pain.'

OCTOBER 21, 2017ByHANNAH BROWN
MELANIE THIERRY portrays French literary icon Marguerite Duras in ‘Memoir of Pain.’

The Lounge

This week's social news and more.

OCTOBER 16, 2017ByMICHAL GALANTI
IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and wife Ronit at their daughter's wedding

Sammy Davis Jr. documentary turns into crowd favorite at the Haifa Film Festival

Part of the unusual reality of his life is that he converted to Judaism following a car crash in which he lost his eye and found comfort studying the religion with a rabbi he met.

OCTOBER 10, 2017ByHANNAH BROWN
A SCENE from the new PBS documentary ‘Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me.’

Thirty-third time’s the charm: The best of the Haifa Film Festival

The festival will open with the premiere of the new Blade Runner film, Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017ByHANNAH BROWN
Director of the movie Denis Villeneuve (2ndL) and cast members Ryan Gosling (L), Ana de Armas (2ndR) and Harrison Ford (R) attend a photocall for the film "Blade Runner 2049" in Paris, France, September 20, 2017.