In the late 1970’s, after thousands of years of praying and longing for Jerusalem, the first Ethiopian Jews arrived in Israel. This first-time recounting portrays their improbable journey, physically dangerous and with their spirits constantly challenged. Simply filmed, witnessed by their families, survivors are honest and direct telling stories of immense bravery, and of incredible tenderness.. For the first time the narrative centerpiece is these memories, an astonishing mix of truth, faith, family and resilience, and the question they never dared to ask: Was the Jerusalem Dream worth it?
In addition to the featured film, this program will include a short segment of “From Away,” a work in progress that explores a family’s experience in Maine as they take in two teenage Burundian asylum seekers. The films will be followed by a discussion with Maya Tepler, filmmaker of “From Away.”
This program is made possible by the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust.
The Jerusalem Dream – Trailer from unicorn on Vimeo.
Film Details
Documentary / Dir: Meni Elias/ Israel / 2016 /Amharic, Tigrinya and Hebrew w/ Eng ST / 54 min
Festivals
Jewish Motifs Film Festival Poland; Ethnological International Film Festival Belgrade; DocAviv International Film Festival; Sole e Luna International Film Festival, Italy; RAI Film Festival
