Red Lounge | On occasion of the exhibition Asylum City

Wednesday, 23rd of July 2008 at 7:00 pm (19:00)

Screening and discussion with the director

James Journey to Jerusalem

a movie by Ra'anan Alexandrowicz

English and Hebrew with English Subtitles | 83 min | 2003

Synopsis:

James will be the minister of his African village. His people send him on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the joyous sounds of gospel.

At Ben Gurion Airport, he explains his mission to the cynical immigration officer. She thinks he has come illegally to make money. Rather than Jerusalem, James goes to jail. Shimi arrives and frees him. But he is not an angelic messenger, but a labor contractor. James ends up in a prison-like dormitory doing hard, menial work while Shimi pockets the better part of his pay. As James begins to learn the way of capitalism, his mission changes.

This film is Israeli to the core, but it explores with balance and even humor a worldwide phenomenon: Third World immigrants illegally seeking economic survival in a developed country.

Charming! Powerful! Touching!

From then on, James' journey to Jerusalem turns into an unpredictable journey through the cruel heart of our economic system. With good teachers, a bit of luck, and some lateral thinking, James learns the tricks of the game and plays it towards an inevitable end.

About the director:

Ra’anan Alexandrowicz was born in Jerusalem in 1969. He graduated from high school in Jerusalem in 1987 as a physics major. From 1991 to 1996 he studied film at the Sam Spiegel film and television school in Jerusalem with a focus on fiction. From 1997 to 2001 he concentrated mainly on documentary work, and also directed two music videos.

His acclaimed documentary THE INNER TOUR followed a group of Palestinians on a three-day bus tour through Israel in 2000. This film was included in the 31st New Directors/New Films series presented by The Film Society of Lincoln Center and The Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 2002.

Ra'anan Alexandrowicz received the culture ministry filmmaker award scholarship

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Ra'anan Alexandrowicz' James Journey to Jerusalem
Wed, 23.7.2008 | Open doors from 7 pm | Screening starts 7:30 pm

Location:
Red Lounge in the Willy Brandt Center Jerusalem
22, Ein Rogel St, J'lem ( Abu Tor )