Cupcakes

Another offering from Israel's Eytan Fox [Walk on Water, Yossi and Jagger], Cupcakes takes it cue from the likes of Mama Mia and Strictly Ballroom.  Six residents of an apartment complex playfully record a song they made up to cheer up the recently abandoned baker of the bunch.  It is secretly submitted to a Euro-song competition and takes the country by storm.  The up-beat pop soundtrack, six personal melodramas, crazy music industry manipulators and socio-political mores liven the mix. The cast includes many of Israel's biggest stars including gorgeous, Efrat Dor and Israel's answer to Sean Connery, the ever sexy Lior Ashkenazi This crowd pleaser with definitely make it to "Best of the Fest" and I hope it makes it to local theatres.

A Place in Heaven

This fictional biography of  a top Israeli general with political ambitions parallels the recent history of Israel.  Character development is used a vehicle to examine issues of principle, faith, skepticism, family, pride, religion and ignorance.  Needless to say much of the plot leaves me cold as i all never fathom the appeal of deep religious conviction or unquestioning nationalistic fervor but the film is well worth a visit for the excellent acting, creative editing [especially the frequent flashbacks] and stark cinematography.