The 9th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival will have Israel in the Focus Section, with the most famous titles in recent cinema.
An absolutely must-see at this edition's Focus Section is Germany-Israel-France-Lebanon feature Lebanon, directed by Samuel Maoz, winner of the Venice Golden Lion in 2009. A film about the terrifying experience of four young soldiers that are taken prisoners in a tank, during the first day of Israel-Lebanese war in 1982. The film will be screened in the distinguished presence of director Samuel Maoz and of His Excellence, The Ambassador of the State of Israel at Bucharest, Mr. Oren David.
One other highly acclaimed title at the Focus Israel Section is feature Ajami, directed by Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani, nominated for Best Foreign Film at Oscar 2010 and awarded 12 other trophies, among which the Special Mention - Camera d'Or, at Cannes 2009.
The list of Israeli features continues with Eyes Wide Open, directed by Haim Tabakman, a striking story taking place in an orthodox community, My Father My Lord, by David Volach, awarded at Tribeca Film Festival in 2007, Lemon Tree, by Eran Riklis, which won the Audience Award at the Panorama Section, Berlin Festival 2008, To See if I'm Smiling, by Tamar Yarom, an appealing documentary about the story of six Israeli female soldiers who are struggling to lead a normal life within the territories under occupation, and, last but not least, Children of the Sun, directed by Ran Tal, a foray into the life of Israeli children who have taken part in the first Kibbutz Movement.
Also, the multi-awarded feature A Band's Visit, directed by Eran Kolirin, will be found on the generous offering that the Focus Israel Section has in store for the festival-going audience. Awarded no less than 40 prizes, amongst which The FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes 2007 and The Best Actor distinction at the European Academy Awards Ceremony, A Band's Visit tells the story of an Egyptian orchestra that comes to Israel to give a concert at the opening of an Arabic cultural center, but gets on the wrong bus and finds itself lost in the desert.
TIFF festival will also welcome Katriel Schory, Executive Manager of Israel Film Fund, who will share his know-how in the field of supporting film productions on local grounds within The Local Funds Conference, Costel Safirman, manager of Jerusalem Cinema House, curator of the Focus Israel section at TIFF, Jay Weissberg, well-known film critic for Variety, and also our dear and steady guests at TIFF, Dan and Edna Făinaru, film chronicle writers for Screen International.
