ULTIMATE DOCS COMPETITION

A HEBREW LESSON

(Ha' Ulpan)

ISRAEL, 2006, 120 min., Hebrew, English, Chinese, German, Russian, Spanish

Director: David Ofek, Ron Rotem
Producer: Edna Kowarsky, Elinor Kowarsky
Script: David Ofek, Sari Ezouz
Cinematography: Ron Rotem
Music: Oren Menashe
Editing: Sari Ezouz
Production company: Eden Productions
Print source:
Eden Productions
84 Arlozorov St.
Tel-Aviv 62647
ISRAEL
Tel.: 972 3 527 3403
Fax: 972 3 523 6076
e-mail: info@edenproductions.co.il
www.edenproductions.co.il


The Hebrew Lesson

Examining the immigrant experience through the eyes of multiethnic students in a language immersion class in Tel Aviv, this prize-winning and engrossing documentary brings a fresh take on how non-natives cope with life in a new culture. Divided into monthly chapters, the film focuses on five students led by Yoela, herself an immigrant to Israel. At times funny, at times sad, it showcases daily reality with irony. Helmers David Ofek and Ron Rotem maximize the idea of the classroom as the first step toward a hoped-for melting pot, but they tend to avoid delicate issues such as the differences in experience for Jews and non-Jews in Israel.

David Ofek was born in 1968 in Israel, a graduate of the Sam Spiegel Film School in Jerusalem, was awarded the Wolgin Prize in the past for his short films Home and Hi-Tech Dreams. Co-creatorof the popular TV series Bat-Yam – New York and Melanoma my Love, Ofek directed the film No. 17 which won the Israeli Academy Award for Best Documentary and International Press Award at the 2004 CIDF.

Filmography:

A Hebrew Lesson (2006);
Melanoma My Love (2006);
No.17 (2003);
The Barbecue People (2002);
Take-Away (2000), TV series
5 Love Stories (1999);
Bat-Yam – New York (1995-97), TV series
Home (1994);
Hi-teq Dreams (1992);
Luca: Told by Friends (1991).

Ron Rotem, director, cinematographer, film educator, has been actively involved in film making for over 30 years. Almost all of his award-winning documentary work has involved the telling of personal stories, some history related, many dealing with the Palestinian – Israeli conflict and the Holocaust.

Filmography:

A Hebrew Lesson (2006);
No. 17 (2003);
The Massive Immigration (1998);
Lior Akavia (1997);
In and Out of Nazareth and Tiberius (1989);
Mary Khass - Refugee by Choice (1988);

SUNDAY,APRIL 1 AT 8:00 PM./WILMETTE THEATRE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 AT 5:00 PM./GALLERY THEATRE

THURSDAY, APRIL 5 AT 1:00 PM./CHOPIN THEATRE