THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED to Sunday, March 3 at 3:30pm.
Tal is a 17-year-old Frenchwoman who has settled in Jerusalem with her family. She writes a letter expressing her refusal to accept that only hatred can reign between Israelis and Palestinians. She slips the letter into a bottle, and her brother throws it into the sea near Gaza, where he is carrying out his military service. A few weeks later, Tal receives a response from a mysterious “Gazaman,” a young Palestinian named Naïm.
Thus begins a turbulent but tender long-distance friendship between two young people that are separated by a history they are trying both to understand and change. This engrossing and hopeful drama starring Hiam Abbas is based on the award-winning novel by Valérie Zenatti. The New York Times calls it “a gentle pairing of youthful idealism and tenacious hope” and a “heartfelt engagement with war as experienced by those still growing into their opinions and allegiances.”
"It raises the hope that someday, perhaps, there can be a meeting of Israeli and Palestinian minds." - New York Post
Director: Thierry Binisti
Cast: Agathe Bonitzer, Mahmud Shalaby
France | 2011 | NR | 99 min
French, Hebrew, English and Arabic with English Subtitles
This screening will also feature a new short film about Rockland’s Adas Yoshuron Synagogue Choir, and the sacred Jewish liturgical works it performs, by Camden-based filmmaker David Berez.
About the Maine Jewish Film Festival: Since 1998 the MJFF has presented over 300 films both domestic and foreign, brought more than 80 guest artists from the U.S. and around the world and sold over 32,000 tickets to both Jewish and non-Jewish attendees in venues throughout greater Portland as well in selected sites throughout the state. Portland is the smallest city in the nation to boast an independent, professional Jewish film festival. MJFF curates a program of films that explore the Jewish experience through features, documentaries and shorts. MJFF has grown to be one of the best-attended, most well-respected, and highly-anticipated cultural events in the state, attracting a diverse, sophisticated, and deeply loyal audience base who loves independent film. Check out the festival's trailer to learn more about their amazing line-up!
