GRAND PRIX COMPETITION

SOUVENIRS

(SOUVENIRIM)

Israel, 2006, 75 min., Hebrew, Dutch, English

Directors: Shahar Cohen, Halil Efrat
Producer: Sharon Shamir
Script: Shahar Cohen
Cinematography: Tomer Shani
Editing: Halil Efrat
Music: Shai Bachar
Sound: Amir Bar
Production company: Sirocco Productions Ltd
Print Source:
Ruth Diskin Film Ltd.
P.O.B. 7153, Jerusalem
Israel 91071
Tel.: +972 2 672 4256
Fax: +972 2 672 4210
ruthdis@netvision.net.il
www.ruthfilms.com

SOUVENIRS

The title of this touching road-trip doc doesn’t refer to the keepsakes tourists collect on their jaunts around the globe, but rather to the children that the soldiers of the Jewish Brigade fathered and abandoned in the Netherlands after WWII. A reluctantly undertaken project by filmmaker Shahar Cohen – after he completed his film studies, Cohen’s father suggested that he make a film about his experiences in WWII and it was only after Shahar attended a veteran meeting and learned about the “souvenirs” that he agreed – this illuminating and humorous film speaks volumes about father and son relationships. Father and son retrace the elder Cohen’s history by car, from Israel to Italy and the Netherlands, and the result is an entertaining and touching road movie interspersed with archive footage. They laugh, argue about inconsequential things and grow closer and closer to each other. While the younger Cohen's initial interest was to search for potential half-brothers and sisters, the journey eventually provides him with much more, as he gets the opportunity to understand the complex life of his childhood hero.

Shahar Cohen was born in Israel in 1968. Actor, writer, director and editor. He graduated from Sam Spiegel Film & TV School in Jerusalem.

Filmography:

Souvenirs (2006), Best Documentary Doc Aviv 2006;
Minus-Plus (2001), short, Best Documentary Israeli Academy Award.

Halil Efrat was born in Jerusalem, Israel in 1968. Director, editor. He graduated from Sam Spiegel Film & TV School in Jerusalem.

Filmography:
Souvenirs (2006), Best Documentary Doc Aviv 2006, documentary directing debut;
Y Project (2004), TV;
Showdown at Lot’s Wife (1994), short.


SATURDAY, MARCH 31 AT 6:30 PM./THE WILMETTE THEATRE

MONDAY, APRIL 2 AT 7:00 PM./GALLERY THEATRE

TUESDAY, APRIL 3 AT 7:00 PM./CHOPIN THEATRE