Cine buffs get to see the best of art, life and even Indians up close through Israeli films in Bangalore this month.
The year-old Consulate General of Israel in Bangalore, the third after Delhi and Mumbai, is hosting the first official Israeli film festival from July 3 to 31 jointly with Suchitra Film Society and Bangalore Cultural Partners.
Nine acclaimed and popular films from his country and produced during 2003-11 will be screened at the festival, said Menahem Kanafi, Israel's Consul General in Bangalore, saying he hoped they would be watched widely and bring the peoples of the two countries culturally close.
Mr. Kanafi, who is in charge of Israeli matters in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, said, "The festival will expose [India to] the facets of life in Israel and point out universal connections between Israeli and Indian art and life,” he told a news conference.
The West Asian country produces fewer than 25 films a year compared to the 1,000-odd churned out in this country and dwelling on human relations. “It is a privilege to screen Israeli films in India which is one of the world’s leading film producers,” Mr. Kanafi said.
The 35 screenings are spread across four venues - Suchitra Film Society, Alliance Francaise, Bangalore International Centre and Shanti Road Studio.
On Wednesday, a special screening will be held of Israel's most successful film ever, Turn left at the end of the world . It is a stirring tale ofan Indian family which migrated to Israel in the late 1960s and the tribulations it faces while dealing with the Moroccan community in its new village.
Footnote is the 2011 Oscar nominee in the Best Foreign Film Category.
Album 61 is a 2013 biopic on Israeli chess player Boris Gelfand who has played against Indian legend V. Anand. Some others are, By summer's end (2011), 5 hours from Paris (2009), The band's visit (2007), Jellyfish (2007), Sweet mud (2006) and Bon jour Monsieur Shlomi (2003).