The Israeli producer behind 'The Last Jedi'

Moviegoers around the globe are buzzing with excitement over the release this weekend of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. And behind the cultural touchstone sits none other than an Israeli producer: Ram Bergman.Bergman was brought on board the film in 2014, producing alongside Kathleen Kennedy. He is also reportedly slated to be involved in the next Star Wars sequel, Episode IX, though filming has not yet begun.In a red carpet interview with Variety at the Los Angeles premiere of The Last Jedi earlier this week, Bergman said Star Wars fans will not be disappointed.“It’s very complex and very intimate and very emotional,” said Bergman of the latest film. “There’s a lot of movie... It’s one of those movies, you’re going to say, I need to digest it, and I want to go see it again because there’s just a lot of it. I think the movie is dense. It’s complex, but it’s a fun ride.”The Rishon Lezion native has lived in Los Angeles for more than 25 years – moving there right after the army – and has become a well-known figure in the film world. In a 2012 interview with Channel 2 about his success, Bergman returned to Rishon Lezion to discuss – alongside his mother – his childhood there.“People here [in Israel] always told me: ‘What do you mean movies, you don’t know anything about movies?’” said Bergman. “And I just said, OK.”Since then Bergman has been behind dozens of films, including 2015’s A Tale of Love and Darkness, based on the novel by Amos Oz. That movie, directed by and starring Natalie Portman, was filmed in Israel. He also produced the critically acclaimed 2005 film Brick and 2012 movie Looper – both of which were directed by Rian Johnson, who also directed The Last Jedi.