Gear up for Israeli film fest

KATHMANDU: Here is some good news for film enthusiasts — the 10th Israeli Film Festival  is scheduled for June 23-24 at Russian Culture Centre, Kamalpokhari. The fest featuring four feature films and two documentaries was announced at a press meet at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Durbar Marg on June 13.

The two-day festival is an effort of the Nepal Film Society and Embassy of Israel. Veteran actor Krishna Malla, Chairman of Nepal Film Society, said, “The festival is an opportunity for movie lovers to enjoy Israeli cinema, to understand and feel the colourful culture of Israel and Jewish tradition.”

Showcasing the culture of Israel and Jewish tradition, two documentaries — Dolphin Boy and Gorkha’s Daughters in Israel and four films — Fill the Void, Band’s Visit, Foreign Sister and The Distance will be screened.

Veteran Israeli film director and producer Dan Wolman was also present at the press meet. The director of Foreign Sister and The Distance shared about their film industry which started in 1950s and film-making at the event.

“Israel is a young country as a film industry but the industry has immensely expanded in the course of 12 years,” Wolman expressed adding, “Twelve years ago, we demonstrated to the Israeli government to fund films as films is an art like theatre. The government endorsed a law regarding cinema and started to fund independent Israeli directors. Now, the government allocates a budget of $20 million for the industry every year.”

As per him, people need to fight for change. He pointed out, “We fought and we succeeded. Despite language barrier, Israeli films are making a mark globally now.”