Ethiopian Jews’ self-discovery film by Israeli Director Eli Tal-El hits screen at Addis International Film Festival
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  •   Ethiopian Jews’ self-discovery film by Israeli Director Eli Tal-El hits screen at Addis International Film Festival
  • 4/30/2012
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    The-name-my-mother-gave-me The-name-my-mother-gave-me Copyright: Ruth-Diskin-Films
     
     
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    "The  Name My Mother Gave Me", written and directed by an Israeli filmmaker Eli Tal-El, features Ethiopian and Russian Israelis who meet at a leadership training program in Israel. Their year of learning culminates in a journey to Ethiopia where the Ethiopian born participants return to their native villages and confront their roots. The film takes the audience through their inspiring soul searching journey and shows how this journey transforms them.
    Before screening this film, Eli Tal-El first held a master class session at the Italian Cultural Institute main hall for anyone interested to join in a participatory workshop that took place on the morning of May 2nd, at 8:30AM-12PM. After the screening at 6PM that afternoon, he also shared his vast experience in documentary film making and directing to the audience in the Q and A session.
    The film itself has traveled different continents and was seen by thousands; it has received numerous gracious reviews from professional film critics worldwide. ESRA magazine in its January, 2010 edition commented: “…A beautifully crafted movie ….. It brought out all the emotions every immigrant feels when they live in Israel, and this particular film directed by Eli Tal-El was simply one the best ….the title of the film is in fact the crux of the film.” Link to a complete list of venues where the film has reached audiences: http://www.ruthfilms.com/the-name-my-mother-gave-me.html ]
    The festival week also comprised another documentary film called “I Had A Dream” directed by Tizita Girmay, screened on the 3rd of May, 2012 at 2PM in the R.T. Martyrs’ Memorial Museum found in front of the St. Istifanos Church. Its story line is built on a young Beta-Israeli boy named Yona Bugale, who was born into a community in Ethiopia, far from the centers of the Jewish world. He then was brought to Europe, where he discovered his common heritage with the Jewish people. Yona Bugale worked ceaselessly as a teacher and community leader, promoting connections with the State of Israel and with Jewish organizations, in order to prevent the possible destruction of Ethiopian Jewry. Based on rare archival material, the film’s aim is to give expression to the complexity of the Ethiopian Aliyah and of their absorption in Israel – in doing so, adding another dimension to what “The Name My Mother Gave Me” features about their relentless aspiration and longing to live in the ‘Promised Land’ as well as to search for their unique roots. The film was shown at different international film festivals and now comes to Ethiopia which is its central story theme.The screening of the films is co- organized by the Initiative Africa non-governmental organization in collaboration with the Israeli Embassy in Addis Ababa and partners.
     
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