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mzober
Reviews
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars (2005)
Meet some wonder Musicans who struggled as refugees and made it
We just saw this wonderful documentary at the 2006 Jerusalem Film Festival and would recommend it to everyone who has ever heard of West African High Life music and the tragedies of the 11 year civil war in Sierra Leone.
In Guinea, a group of talented Sierra Leonean refugees, constantly relocated from one miserable camp to another, decide to form a band to bring entertainment and a ray of sunshine. They conduct a musical tour of the camps and eventually are asked to perform a cut an album in Sierra Leone as part of the UN resettlement program.
While they are reluctant at first to go home, even for a short stay, they give in when they see that it make be a good economic decision for their musical careers.
The visit to Sierra Leone is both exhilarating and sad for the band members. They are very pleased to see old friends. On the other hand, the realize that serious damage has occurred - to Freetown's building and neighborhoods and also to those who remained behind.
When they return to the refugee camp in Guinea they encourage resettlement back in Sierra Leone. All but one of the band members do resettle.
You will love the music and learn of the hopes, fears and aspirations of these refugees who do become and are today true all stars.
The Cantor's Son (1937)
Enjoy Yiddish cultural and cantonal artistry
We just saw this most remarkable piece of Yiddish film history at the Jerusalem Film Festival. It is a must for those who love Yiddish culture and cantonal artistry.
While the story is dated, is is a great period piece that takes you to a small shtetl - Belz and to the turn of the 20th Century immigrant experience.
We enjoyed seeing Jewish boy struggle and make it in his new country only to return back home to celebrate his parents' golden wedding anniversary and face new choices and challenges.
Kudos to the Brandeis University and the film project for preserving this important work.
Adams æbler (2005)
A bit quirky but worth the view
We just saw this movie at the Jerusalem Film Festival and enjoyed it. It is certainly a bit strange - a haunted and blessed Scandinavian priest on a mission and his very odd collection of parishioners including a neo-nazi, a randy drunk and a wacky aspiring terrorist.
The priest seems to be in denial when it comes to anything in his life that may seem awry - an ill child, his cancer and his lapsing parishioners. He maintains an odd optimism that seems to be justified as events unfold.
I do recommend this film for those who are looking for something different - perhaps even bizarre and at times inspiring. You leave the showing with a smile.
Through the Fire (2005)
Outstanding movie - tremendous view of what it takes to get into the NBA
We had the honor to view the movie at the Jerusalem Film Festival in the presence of the director Jonathan Hock. He did an outstanding job of telling a wonderful family story - of a star NYC/Coney Island basketball player, Sabastian Telfair and his very interested family.
There are two currents in this documentary. First is the focus on the senior year of high school of Sabastian as he leads Abraham Lincoln High to a 3rd NYC championship. Along with this is the pressure he encounters as he must choose going into the NBA draft or going to college at Louisville under Joe Patino.
The other and more profound element of the film is the family story - the strong mother, the brothers committed to help Sabastian and the "failed" brother who was not drafted into the NBA when it was expected.
This is the best sports movie I have every seen. It gives the viewer the opportunity to "meet" Sabastian and his family, learn about the high school basketball scene at the top level and the "business of the professional basketball in the NBA and in Europe.
I look forward to Jonathan's next project - perhaps a Cuban national who made in big in Major League Baseball and goes home for the first time in many years.
Uprising (2001)
A Must See Inspiring Movie
I just saw uprising at the Jerusalem Film Festival and was moved and inspired. During these challenging times in this region, it is necessary to recall why we are here in Israel...
We were fortunate to see the movie in the presence of one of the ZOB Ghetto fighters. He told us that when he visited the filming site, he was amazed at the accuracy of the sets up to the detail of the cobble stones. He also said that the reality of the situation much more harsh. He understood the need for director's license to go beyond the "reality" of the story.
The acting was incredibly good. It was a bit hard at first for me to get past the idea that David Schwimmer was playing such a profoundly different role from his "Friends" character. When I did get past this, I realized what an outstanding actor he is. This certainly goes for Jon Voight and Donald Southerland.
I only learned following seeing this that it was a made for TV movie. It seems to me that the film could have been a box office hit. It certainly deserves a wider audience.
Suggestion: Re-release to selected audiences and theaters. The movie also has educational value if used in the right context with a well informed teacher. It should be used for Holocaust education programs.
I recommend you see this film to get historical perspective; become inspired by the possibility to respond to and resist inhumanity; and to be enthralled by the story, cinematography and the message of hope in unspeakable circumstances.
May history never repeat such inhumanity anywhere. May we find ways to build a peaceful world. May we always have the capacity to resist true evil and pursue love and hope.