The Embassy of Israel, in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), presented the 14th Israeli Film Festival featuring love stories in the Israeli cinema.
With the theme “Romance in the Holy Land,” the cultural event featured six films topped by the 2015 movie A Tale of Love and Darkness, the directorial feature debut of actress Natalie Portman.
“We are happy to bring the movie A Tale of Love and Darkness to the Philippines for the first time as part of the 14th Israeli Film Festival,” Deputy Chief of Mission Hadass Nisan said.
Portman directed and starred in A Tale of Love and Darkness, a drama film based on the autobiographical novel by Israeli author Amos Oz which took place in Jerusalem during the first years of independent Israel. The Jerusalem-born Hollywood actress speaks Hebrew in the film.
The movie was warmly welcomed by almost 3,000 students of De La Salle University Manila last June 8, and University of the Philippines Diliman last June 9.
“We also brought five love stories from Israel to the QCX inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, FDCP Cinematheques in Manila, Iloilo, Baguio and Davao, and nine universities in the country,” Nisan said. The five films are: The Band’s Visit, Jellyfish, 5 Hours from Paris, 2 Night, and Restoration.
The screening schedule for Cinematheque Manila included: The Band’s Visit, May 26, Thursday 5 p.m.; Jellyfish, May 31, Tuesday 7:30 p.m.; 2 Night, June 1, Wednesday 5 p.m.; Restoration, June 2, Thursday 5 p.m.; and 5 Hours from Paris, June 2, Thursday 7:30 p.m.The screening schedule for Cinematheque Baguio included: The Band’s Visit, June 6, Monday 6 p.m.; Restoration, June 7, Tuesday 3:30 p.m.; Jellyfish, June 8, Wednesday 5:30 p.m.; 2 Night, June 9, Thursday 3:30 p.m.; and 5 Hours from Paris, June 10, Friday 5:30 p.m.
The screening schedule for Cinematheque Davao included: The Band’s Visit, June 20, Monday 6 p.m.; 5 Hours from Paris, June 21, Tuesday 3:30 p.m.; Jellyfish, June 22, Wednesday 5:30 p.m.; Restoration, June 23, Thursday 3:30 p.m.; and 2 Night, June 24, Friday 5:30 p.m.
The screening schedule for Cinematheque Iloilo included: The Band’s Visit, July 12, Tuesday 6 p.m.; 2 Night, July 13, Wednesday 3:30 p.m.; Restoration, July 14, Thursday 5:30 p.m.; and 5 Hours from Paris, July 15, Friday 5:30 p.m.; and Jellyfish, July 16, Saturday 3:30 p.m.