Jerusalem Film Fest to open with Moretti and close with ‘The Godfather’

The festival will show more than 200 movies from over 40 countries

By HANNAH BROWN
John Turturro (photo credit: Courtesy)
John Turturro
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Mia Madre, the latest movie by Nanni Moretti, will be the opening attraction of the 32nd Jerusalem Film Festival, which will take place at the Jerusalem Cinematheque from July 9-19.
Moretti, one of Italy’s best-loved directors, won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001 for The Son’s Room, and Mia Madre also had its world premiere at Cannes last month. Mia Madre tells the story of a movie director trying to make a film while her mother’s health is failing.
John Turturro, one of the movie’s stars, who plays an entitled American actor, will be present for the festival opening. Turturro, a celebrated character actor, is known for his roles in such movies as The Big Lebowski, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and Exodus: Gods and Kings.
Noa Regev, director of the Jerusalem Film Festival, said in a statement: “We are delighted to open this year’s festival with this acclaimed movie by audience favorite Nanni Moretti. The choice of the movie, Mia Madre, is a tribute to the inspiring image of Lia van Leer, founder of the Jerusalem Cinematheque [and the Jerusalem Film Festival] who passed away this year. This film is both sad and funny, which reflects Lia’s legacy regarding her love for people and cinema.”
Mia Madre will be shown at the Sultan’s Pool amphitheater on July 9, as will the closing film, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, which will be screened on July 18. The classic gangster movie, considered one of the greatest films of all time, will be shown with the live musical accompaniment of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Justin Freer, which will perform Nino Rota’s haunting score.
The festival will show more than 200 movies from over 40 countries, and, as always, will feature premieres of the newest Israeli films by the country’s most acclaimed directors.
To order tickets and to find out more details about this year’s festival, go to the to the website at http://jff.org.il.