This provocative, playful, and explosive comedy offers an unexpected view into one of the world’s most painful conflicts. A Palestinian writer draws upon the skills and experiences of an Israeli checkpoint commander to enhance a TV-Series: Tel Aviv on Fire. The film confronts the uneasy boundary between harsh reality and romantic illusions, transforming identities, opening imaginative space for dialogue.
75th International Film Festival Venice
Winner of the Golden Lion: "Roma" by Alfonso Cuarón
"Tel Aviv On Fire“ by director Sameh Zoabi is the winner of the 8th INTERFILM-Award for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue at the 75th Mostra internazionale d’arte cinematografica in Venice 2018. Scenarist Daniel Kleinman in proxy of the director accepted the prize. The film was screened in the festival section Orizzonti, and its main actor Kais Nashif was awarded Best Actor by the Orizzonti Jury.
The international festival jury chaired by Guillermo del Toro awarded the Golden Lion to „Roma“ by Alfonso Cuarón also awarded best film by the SIGNIS Jury. The Grand Prix of the jury went to „The Favourite“ by Yorgos Lanthimos. The jury of the International Association of Film Critics (Fipresci) awarded its prize to „Sunset“ by László Nemes.
The American production "First Man" by director Damien Chazelle opened the 75th Venice International Film Festival on 29th August. The film refers to the moon landing of the Apollo 11 in 1969, when Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon. The festival also presented films by Olivier Assayas, the Brothers Coen, Jacques Audiard, Mike Leigh and others.
The INTERFILM jury makes the 8th INTERFILM Award for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue. The winner is selected from one of the two competition sections - international competition and Orizzonti. For the award, the jury considers films that contribute to inter-religious understanding.
For their life's work, Canadian director David Cronenberg and British actress Vanessa Redgrave were awarded a Golden Lion.
Link: Festival Website
Award