The Jewish Film Class: Set in Tel Aviv – “Yana’s Friends”

Submitted by the Event Organizer

The 100th anniversary of the founding of Tel Aviv has brought renewed attention to the city’s distinctive character. This installment of the Library’s popular film class will focus on three recent films set in Tel Aviv, and will consider how the city itself is presented. Come for a group viewing, incisive analyses, and spirited discussion. Taught by Library Director Howard Freedman.

Yana’s Friends (Film 1)
Thursday, November 19, 7 pm Auditorium, Second Floor

It is 1991, and an unprecedented number of Russian Jews have come to Israel just in time to experience the first Gulf War. Against this backdrop, Yana, a pregnant, young, recent immigrant, is facing the reality that her husband has returned to Russia and abandoned her with his debts. Meanwhile, she grows close to her neighbor Eli, an aspiring filmmaker of questionable moral fiber, and to other newly arrived Russians struggling to adapt to Israeli society. This winner of five Israeli Academy Awards manages to maintain lightness and humor while addressing the fright of war and the hardship of immigrant life.

Israel, 1999. 90 minutes, in Hebrew and Russian with English subtitles. Video Projection.

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