Letters from Rishikesh

It articulates the essence of one's internal exile through the portrait of a Jewish-German refugee who arrived in Israel on the eve of World War II, started a family – but has nevertheless, yet to feel at home in his new country. He remains connected to Berlin with every fiber of his being; the city’s culture, its essence, and as far as he’s concerned, Israel is no more than a pit stop. He gradually pulls away from his wife, his son who does not get him, his sisters who are haunted by the past, and the rental flat where he’s lived all these years. He sets up shop in a budget hotel by the Tel Aviv seaside, hangs out with a group of fringe misfits, and dreams of moving back to Berlin.

Against the backdrop of a land dispute between Jews and Arabs in the Galilee, an unusual and hopeless romance develops between Chava, the urban sister of Gedaliah who owns the land, and Khaled, his Arab laborer.

Shmaya (Shuli Rand), a small-time magician whose career consists of gigs at local venues in the north of Israel, meets Oshra (Ronit Elkabetz) at one of his shows, who possesses genuine mystical powers. Shmaya makes Oshra part of his act and together, they perform real-life feats of magic and miracles before their slack-jawed audiences. Meanwhile, Shmaya’s father – a holy man with his own loyal following, is dying. He asks his followers to bring him his estranged son, so that he can take his place after his death and lead their community. Shmaya does just that and goes on to become a spiritual leader. However, his ongoing attraction to Oshra is now on a collision course with his new calling.

Azam Salameh, a Palestinian theater director, directs an autobiographical play in the mixed Jewish-Arab city of Acre. The play takes place in 1947, during the final days of the British Mandate, and tells a love story between his grandmother, the singer Layla and Dr. Alfasi, the last Jewish citizen who remained in the city of Acre during the War of 1948. The play comes under threat and never sees the stage. This film is the only remaining testimony. —Haifa International Film Festival