Summer time, and watching movies in Jerusalem is easy
From the Old City to Independence Park, the Jerusalem Film Festival offers screenings inside and out around the capital
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
The Jerusalem Film Festival is one of the capital’s big summer events. And with so much to see, the festival’s organizers at the Jerusalem Cinematheque have taken pains to create a wide-ranging, multi-location schedule that appeals to everyone.
Make sure to check out Screenings Under the Stars in the Harry Wilf Independence Park in the center of town where there are five more nights of outdoor film screenings. Enjoy watching in style on comfortable, cushioned stadium-style seats. Although they are numbered, the ushers are relaxed about letting people find their section of the lengthy couches, which include fleece blankets for those cool Jerusalem nights and small wicker tables for placing one’s popcorn and other snacks.
Food options include a stand of Basher’s gourmet cheeses from the shuk, a freezer full of homemade Paletas fruit popsicles and another seller offering popcorn, nuts and chewy, sugary treats.
Films being screened throughout the week are Julie Delpy in the romantic comedy “Lolo,” Jim Jarmusch’s new film, “Paterson” starring Adam Driver, Viggo Mortensen in “Captain Fantastic,” and the dialogue-free animation of “The Red Turtle.”
The Harry Wilf Cinema Park also has late afternoon events for kids as well as adults to teach them about film production, including animation and sound effects. There’s also the Green Screen for experiencing a drive through the desert or New York City. Tickets are available for 4, 5 or 6 pm, at NIS 20 per child; free entry for parents through Thursday, July 14.
Don’t feel like ordering tickets at all? You don’t have to for the free Films Under the Moon at the First Station, or Film Nights in the Old City.
The First Station movie screenings run from Wednesday, July 13 through Saturday, July 16 with a tribute to Ronit Elkabetz, the award-winning actress who recently died of cancer. Some of her films being screened are “7 Days” and “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” as well as “The Band’s Visit” and “Sh’Chur.”
In the Old City, screenings will take place through Thursday, July 14 in Tkuma Garden and Muristan Square, with “Happy Purim”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and “Casablanca. There will also be a showing of Yonatan Indursky’s “Ponevezh Time,” and a look behind the scenes of his award-winning TV show “Shtisel,” with the series’ producer and actors Michael Aloni and Zohar Strauss on hand.”
During the day, stop in at the Cinematheque for free screenings at the virtual reality area stations, part of the Steamer Festival, Israel’s first VR festival. The short movies made by a mix of local and foreign directors range in topic from the holy city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, to speed-dating and a classical concert in a skate park, to Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and an Ebola survivor. Virtual reality viewings are available through July 14, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and are free of charge.
If you don’t feel like leaving your living room, you can download and watch a selection of Jerusalem Film Festival movies from the comfort of your own home through Festival Scope, with online screenings downloaded between July 11-31. There are only 400 tickets available per film so book now.
