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film reviews

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The Israel Philharmonic Celebrates 85 Years ★★★

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The Israel Philharmonic Celebrates 85 Years ★★★

In less than an hour, a promotional film about the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra sails at a rate of knots through nearly a century of cultural history. Its aim is to open the pockets of potential donors, but it's likely to open their…

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UKJFF 2021: Sin La Habana ★★★★

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UKJFF 2021: Sin La Habana ★★★★

This moving romantic drama about a struggling Cuban ballet dancer, who crosses paths with an Iranian-Canadian Jewish woman looking for love, brings the 25th UK Jewish Film Festival to a vibrant close this week. Sin La Habana screens online and in person at London's Picturehouse…

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UKJFF 2021: Apples and Oranges ★★★

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UKJFF 2021: Apples and Oranges ★★★

This absorbing new documentary explores those volunteers who flocked to Israel’s kibbutzim and their vast impact, but it also reveals the darker underside. In the swinging 60s, the countercultural generation wanted to travel, try new experiences, taste life abroad and, most importantly…

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UKJFF 2021: The Policeman ★★★★

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UKJFF 2021: The Policeman ★★★★

This classic 1971 Israeli feature celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and it's aged beautifully. Written and directed by Ephraim Kishon, HaShoter Azoulay, aka The Policeman, took home numerous awards in 1972, including Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes…

The Painted Bird ★★★

The Painted Bird ★★★

At the 2019 Venice Film Festival, 12 members of the audience attempted to escape The Painted Bird screening, lashing out and falling up the stairs in the process. Why? Because this horrifying drama exposes the absolute worst of mankind, as collected from survivor testimony, shown…

Jojo Rabbit ★★★★

Jojo Rabbit ★★★★

I’m not sure if Marmite was available in wartime Germany, but Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit certainly divides audiences and critics. A coming of age comedy whose 10-year-old hero fails in his aspirations to become a ruthlessly efficient member of the Hitler Youth, despite having Adolf…