Date: 11 – 19 November 2023
Venue: MCL Cyberport Cinema/ Golden Scene Cinema/ K11 Art House – MCL Cinema
Opening Night Tickets: $380 (Students $280)
Tickets: $110 (Senior/ Student $80)
Macher Pass (Access to all films) $1800
Tickets available now. Click here for more information.
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Founded in 2000, the Festival has screened hundreds of features, documentaries and short films from over 30 countries, hosting directors, producers, critics and curators, with the mission to celebrate, educate, enlighten and entertain through movies and bring Jewish culture to this corner of Asia.
The Festival, supported by the Italian Cultural Institute, runs for two weeks showcasing a wide range of feature films, documentaries and shorts, which reflect and offer interesting and unique views into the diversity of Jewish and Israeli life and culture.
In particular, this year the Festival will be showcasing two Italian films: “Alla vita” and “L’ombra del giorno”.
Alla vita
Schedule: 15 November 2023 7pm
Language: Italian with English Subtitltes
Duration: 99 minutes
Director: Stéphane Freiss
Cast: Lou de Laâge, Riccardo Scamarcio, Pierre-Henry Salfati
Synopsis: The story of a young French ultra-Orthodox woman and a divorced Italian farmer who both long to break free. Even though she is deeply unhappy and desperate to leave the faith, Esther has accompanied her father on their annual trip to Southern Italy to harvest etrogim – ‘kosher lemons’ – for the religious holiday of Sukkot. Elio, the non-Jewish owner of the farm, is grateful for their visit as it helps the farm financially. Alla Vita is a film that understands the power of subtlety. It isn’t flashy or melodramatic, nor is it interested in undermining those who choose to live a life of devout faith. Instead, it’s much more driven by its characters’ desire for a life that is truly meant for them.
L’ombra del giorno
Schedule: 14 November 2023 8:50pm
Language: Italian with English Subtitltes
Duration: 125 minutes
Director: Giuseppe Piccioni
Cast: Riccardo Scamarcio, Benedetta Porcaroli, Waël Sersoub
Synopsis: In 1938 Italy, after the promulgation of the racial laws, fascist-abiding restaurateur Luciano believes he can still live by his own rules inside his business. Everything changes when he hires Anna, a girl with a dangerous secret. A resonance with Europe’s flirtation with modern-day facism can be felt in every scene in this mesmerizing period thriller.