Film Movement has picked up North American rights to Amos Gitai’s Venice 2018 award winner A Tramway In Jerusalem, featuring an ensemble that includes Mathieu Amalric.
The Israeli filmmaker’s latest feature is a multi-cultural drama exploring the cultural divides that separate the inhabitants of one of the world’s most iconic cities, as different religions mingle on the Light Rail Red Line of Jerusalem’s tramway that connects the city from East to West, from the Palestinian neighborhoods of Shuafat and Beit Hanina to Mount Herzl, site of Israel’s national cemetery.
A Tramway In Jerusalm focuses on a series of encounters along the line – spoken in Hebrew, Arabic, French, Italian, Yiddish, German and Ladino. Vignettes include a skilled games player who enchants two French tourists; Hasidic men singing a rousing religious song; an exhausted Palestinian wrongfully accused of harassment makes his way home; and a Catholic priest prattles on in Italian about the holy city to anyone who will listen.
Marie-Jose Sanselme wrote the screenplay to the film, which won the UNIMED Award in Venice and stars Noa Ahinoamam Nini, Amalric, Elias Amalric, Yaël Abecassis, Keren Mor, Pippo Delbono, Yuval Scharf, Hana Laslo, Lamis Ammar, Meital Dohan, Liron Levo, Mustafa Mazi, and Srulik Pniel.
Film Movement plans a fourth quarter release followed by roll-out on digital and home entertainment platforms. President Michael Rosenberg and Orange Studio executive vice-president of international sales, film and TV, Andrei Kamarowsky, announced the deal.
“In these divisive times, Amos Gitai has made a film that expressively addresses the human condition,” said Rosenberg. “And, with potentially sensitive religious and cultural material, only a skilled filmmaker like Amos could make us realize that, despite our cultural differences, we’re basically all cut from the same fabric. We’re excited to have the opportunity to bring A Tramway in Jerusalem to North American audiences later this year.”
Film Movement recently acquired Sam de Jong’s Berlinale selection Goldie; Ash Mayfair’s period drama The Third Wife; Marie Losier’s documentary Cassandro, The Exotico!; and Wanuri Kahiu’s LGBT drama Rafiki.
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