Movie

With two current films, director Rachel Israel offers comic relief for Jewish trauma

Two unabashedly Jewish comedies were directed: The Floaters, set at a Jewish summer camp, and Influenced, a satire of Manhattan influencer culture that culminates in a b’nai mitzvah celebration. 

Director Rachel Israel, right, and producer Shai Korman arrive at the premiere of "The Floaters" during the 2025 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival,  Aug. 3, 2025.
‘PULP FICTION’ topped the Jerusalem Cinematheque’s audience poll as the greatest film of the past 50 years.

'Pulp Fiction' tops Jerusalem Cinematheque’s 50th anniversary film poll

‘TELL ME EVERYTHING’S 16 Ophir nominations are the highest total received by any movie in the history of the awards. The film tells the coming-of-age story of a boy who discovers his father is gay at the height of the AIDS epidemic and who reconnects with him later in life.

‘Tell Me Everything’ leads 2026 Ophir Awards race with record 16 nominations

A recent picture of Yad Kennedy.

Jerusalem highlights: July 31-August 6


What to watch in Israel this week: Gal Gadot, 'Hooligans' is bold, ‘American Classic’ charms

TV Time: "Hooligans" stars one of Israel’s most popular young actors, while "American Classic" is a sophisticated dramedy with above-average writing and a feel-good series.

 Gal Gadot attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.

Jerusalem highlights: June 5-11

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

‘Sausages,’ Stav Rozental (see Saturday).

Jessica Lange sparkles in newest film, ‘The Great Lillian Hall’ - review

Jessica Lange breathes life into a story about a Broadway diva who, months into rehearsals for a revival of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, discovers she is struggling with dementia.

Jessica Lange is marvelous as an aging actress who discovers she has dementia in ‘The Great Lillian Hall.’

It’s a 'Tay' Story: Taylor Swift announces original song written for Toy Story 5

The song was reportedly co-written and produced by Swift and her frequent collaborator and friend, Jack Antonoff, marking their first collaboration since her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Jessie, Woody and Buzz Lightyear attend the "Toy Story 5" UK launch event at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 28, 2026 in London, England.

FOX Entertainment Studios, Access Entertainment sign on to Avi Nesher’s 'Our Lives'

Inspired by true events, Nesher’s film is an emotionally gripping story about the enduring strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of love in the face of the horror of October 7.

AVI NESHER (left) directs Shalom Michaelshvili and Magi Azarzar in Our Loves.

Netanyahu offered Likud campaign role to creator of Oct. 7 atrocities film

Yuval Horowitz, who helped create the IDF’s October 7 atrocities film and led Netanyahu’s UN QR code campaign, was offered the Likud campaign role.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a Jerusalem Day event, May 14, 2026; illustrative.

What to watch in Israel this week: Fresh Israeli medical drama, 'The Intern,' stands out

TV Time: 'The Intern' is a new, polished medical suspense drama starring Niv Sultan, best known for Tehran, who plays Hadas, an ambitious and very promising surgical resident.

‘THE INTERN’ is a polished hospital drama with fine performances all round.

Michael Bay to direct movie on Operation Epic Fury airmen rescue

A book by Mitchell Zuckoff set to be published in 2027 will be the basis for the screenplay, according to Deadline.

MICHAEL BAY attends the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Drop" at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 08, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Fourth Rahat Film Festival brings cinema, culture, city tours, Bedouin heritage to life

The fourth Rahat Film Festival brought 4,000 visitors for screenings, filmmaker encounters, city tours, and a celebration of Bedouin culture and Middle Eastern cinema.

FROM LEFT: Yarona Ben-Shalom Richardson, Muhammad al-Krenawi of the Rahat Community Center, Fadi Ziadna, Lior Kalfa, and Suleiman Abo Madegem, the director of Rahat’s Cultural Center.

‘Fantasy Life,’ a Jewish-American dramedy, stars neurotic New Yorkers

The movie is more reminiscent of the films of Noah Baumbach, Nicole Holofcener, and Lisa Cholodenko at their best, or even, at moments, of James L. Brooks.

‘FANTASY LIFE’ debuts Matthew Shear, who stars alongside Amanda Peet.