Lets all go to the movies

Holon is continuing in its steps to becoming a cultural alternative to Tel Aviv.

By ASI GAL
movie theater 88 224 (photo credit: Courtesy, Tzilum Pirsum)
movie theater 88 224
(photo credit: Courtesy, Tzilum Pirsum)
Holon is continuing in its steps to becoming a cultural alternative to Tel Aviv. After establishing both the comics museum and children's museums, the city decided it's high time to have an even more significant cultural establishment by opening up a new cinematheque, even though one already exists in the nearby metropolis. Mor Eldar, manager of the new cinematheque, comes up with a good answer when I ask whether there is a need for another cinematheque in the same area code as the big city. "There are 520,000 people inhabiting Holon and the adjacent cities Bat Yam and Rishon Lezion. Many of those people enjoy quality movies, and there is no reason why they should have to drive through excruciating traffic to Tel Aviv, not to mention the parking problem," she says. Indeed, she's right; it's much easier to find the new Adam Sandler movie, for example, than the new Hayao Miyazaki film. As such, the more cinematheques open up, the better. The new cinematheque focuses on giving a stage to upcoming Israeli artists. Furthermore, focus groups will be held for movies of new artists. "We want to deepen the audience participation in the creation process of the movie" Eldar explains. Another emphasis is on animation. Together with the comics museum, special animation events will take place and a short animated film will be shown before every feature. On the cinematheque's opening night, a movie examining Israeli animation in the past, present and future will be shown. Other events at the opening are the screening of two never before seen movies of Efraim Kishon, a short movie about new up and coming Israeli directors plus the appearance of Ronit Elkabetz who will be receive a lifetime achievement award. Opening night is this Monday at 8:30 p.m at the Mediatheque 6 Golda Meir St. Holon. For more information call (03) 502-1555.