'Not part of Hollywood'
Photo: Yogev Amrani
German director shuns boycott call
Celebrated director Percy Adlon attends International film festival in Israel despite letter by Israeli group calling him to boycott event
Shortly before catching a flight to Israel, German director Percy Adlon received a letter from Israeli group Boycott! Support the Palestinian BDS Calls from Within, which advocates a boycott of Israeli institutions and events under their sponsorship.
In the letter, Adlon was asked to cancel his scheduled trip to the Jewish state, due to its government's policy toward the Palestinians.
Cultural Boycott
Merav Yudilovitch
Ari Folman, Eytan Fox and other TV, film personas slam culture minister's threats to link government funding to duty to perform anywhere, including settlements
"This letter did not raise any doubts in me. I was in Israel 35 years ago when I directed a documentary film about Samy Molcho, and I am very happy to be here again," Adlon said.
"This time around my wife and I rented a car, and we plan to drive all around the country. As a documentary film director, I am naturally curious about how people in Israel live," he added.
In 1988 Adlon directed "Baghdad Cafe" (or "Out of Rosenheim") which received international accolades and was also highly successful in Israel. Adlon has since immigrated to the United States, and continues to make movies all around the globe.
"After 'Baghdad Cafe' I was invited for a meeting in one of the studios in Hollywood, which pitched me an idea for a movie. Within minutes I realized that our views on cinema and the world were very different. I actually have no problem with that – living in Los Angeles but not being part of Hollywood," Adlon noted.
During the festival, Adlon was to presenting his new movie "Mahler on the Couch," which he co-directed with his son Felix, and tells the story of a marital drama that leads a man to seek advice from Sigmund Freud.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
