‘Life Sentences’: An Imprisoned Existence

By Yael Roberts November 26, 2014

Life Sentences, the award winning Israeli film, premiered in America the week of November 6 as part of the Other Israel Film Festival. Winner of the Van Leer Group Foundation Award for Best Documentary Film at the Jerusalem Film Festival in 2013, and directed by Nurit Kedar and Yaron Shani, the documentary explores the life…

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A Lesson in Dancing, and Driving, with Palestinians: A Review of the Other Israel Film Festival

By Catie Damon November 26, 2013

The Other Israel Film Festival, featuring films by and about Arab populations living in Israel, just finished running for its seventh season at the Manhattan Jewish Community Center. I was lucky enough to stream a few of the festival’s documentaries and dramas this week from my little corner of the West Coast. Two films impressed…

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Mixed Feelings at the Arab-American Film Festival

By Catie Damon November 12, 2012

When my belly dancing teacher asked if I wanted to be a clean-up volunteer at the Arab Film Festival, in exchange for a little pocket cash and a glossy all-access pass, I immediately said yes. I’ve loved Middle Eastern culture – its rich food, contagious rhythms, and ancient history – since I was small. Now…

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