Jewish films make a splash in Berlin
Two Israeli and/or Jewish-themed films scoop awards at 60th annual International Film Festival, while two others raise controversy
"Hayerida" (The Descent), a short film by Shai Miedzinski, took the Silver Bear Award (a second-place prize). It tells the story of a family searching for the perfect stone for the grave of their son, and is shot in the Negev desert.
Miedzinski’s father died 10 years ago. He cast his sister, mother, and her new boyfriend in the film.
"Budrus", an American documentary by Brazilian-born filmmaker Julia Bacha, won second prize in the Panorama Audience Award. It was one of several documentaries exploring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and depicts the largely nonviolent protests by residents of a Palestinian village situated near the security fence.
As well, the films "Jew Suss: Rise and Fall" and "Portrait of the Fighter as a Young Man" raised controversy for distorting history and failing to reflect the anti-Semitism of their characters.
The Berlinale Film Festival took place on February 11-21, 2010.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
