InfoAnda - Israeli film Ajami gets real, aims for Oscar |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Winklevoss twins end legal battle with Facebook | 23 June 2011
Heejun Han voted off American Idol, eight remain | | 30 March 2012
First model of Japan's bullet train runs for final time | 15 December 2008

Victim to speak `from the grave' in Peterson case | 19 January 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Israeli film Ajami gets real, aims for Oscar |

Edition: U.S. Article Save Email Print Reprints Most Popular Most Shared Obama seeks to push healthcare to final vote | Video 03 Mar 2010 TAKE-A-LOOK-Obama says time to pass healthcare overhaul 03 Mar 2010 CORRECTED: Fish oil makers, drugstores, sued over supplements 03 Mar 2010 New York's Buffalo misses good times and bad 03 Mar 2010 Oil slips from 7-week highs on stronger dollar | Video 1:07am EST Army nixes raid after Facebook leak? 03 Mar 2010 FOREX-Euro rises vs dollar after Greek austerity plans 03 Mar 2010 Chile keeps shaking, rattling survivors | Video 2:29am EST New gene test may help you pick your diet: report 03 Mar 2010 Facebook CEO in no rush for IPO: report 03 Mar 2010 Israeli film "Ajami" gets real, aims for Oscar Ari Rabinovitch JAFFA, Israel Wed Mar 3, 2010 7:01pm EST Related News "White Ribbon" tipped as early Oscar favorite Tue, Feb 2 2010 'White Ribbon' tipped as early Oscar favorite Tue, Feb 2 2010 Actress Anne Hathaway and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announce the nominations in the Best Foreigh Language Film category during the 82nd annual Academy Awards nominee announcements in Beverly Hills February 2, 2010. Credit: Reuters/Danny Moloshok JAFFA, Israel (Reuters) - When the directors yelled "Action!" on the set of Israeli film "Ajami," none of the actors had prepared lines or knew exactly what was expected in their scenes. Entertainment Most of them had day jobs and never appeared in a movie before. None knew how the low-budget drama would end. And no one imagined it would earn a nomination for best foreign language film at the Academy Awards on March 7. Co-directed by a Jew and a Christian Arab, "Ajami" was shot in a relatively brief 23 days in the mostly Arab district of the same name in Jaffa, which has a reputation for poverty and violence and is part of greater Tel Aviv. The movie's raw, cinema-verite look at life provides an about-face from Israel's stylized 20O9 Oscar nominee, "Waltz With Bashir," which used experimental animation to explore the inner conflict of a veteran of the 1982 Lebanon invasion. But the two share a common lineage to a re-energized Israeli movie industry being fueled by a new generation of storytellers. "Ajami's" intertwined stories expose an Israeli underclass riven by drugs, crime and ethnic prejudice. The movie follows a young Muslim who gets caught in an Arab clan feud and his own forbidden romance with a Christian woman; the story of a Jewish police officer in search of his missing soldier brother, and the tale of a Palestinian youth who sneaks into Israel for menial work. "To a certain extent, you have to take into account the whole notion of politically correct, but at the same time we didn't want to beautify reality," said Yaron Shani, who worked on the movie for seven years with co-director Scandar Copti. Their strategy was to find first-time actors who shared similar backgrounds with the characters and who would infuse the roles with real-life experience. Casting calls were posted around Ajami and relayed among residents via word of mouth. KEEPING IT REAL Most scenes were shot in one take, using multiple cameras to preserve the sense of spontaneity. The dialogue is mainly in a gritty urban Arabic, peppered with Hebrew. Half of the $1 million budget was raised in Germany, the rest in Israel. Shahir Kabaha, 25, who still works at his family's local bakery, was cast as the protagonist after being brought by a friend to an acting workshop without knowing it was for a film. While the script was kept secret to add to the real-life feel of the movie, preparations were intense and long. "It started out with a few months of talking to an empty chair," he said, jokingly. "And just learning to open up in front of the camera." For another lead character, a policeman, they recruited Eran Naim, a 16-year Israeli police veteran with no background in acting. He even played the father of his own children. "The directors didn't tell us if what we were doing was wrong," said Naim, 39, who in one scene is assaulted by a group of Arabs while trying to arrest their neighborhood drug dealer. "I acted as if at work, and did what I felt." Top Israeli film critic Nachman Ingber said "Ajami," "Waltz with Bashir" and 2007 Oscar nominee "Beaufort" are products of a re-energized local industry that emerged in the past decade on the backs of a younger Israelis who for the first time studied filmmaking as an art form in its own right. Isaac Zablocki, director of the Israel Film Center in New York, said: "Israel's film industry supports young Arab and Jewish talent even with unconventional films, bringing social issues to the surface. It's a sign of a healthy democracy and one of the few ways to raise awareness and create change." Also competing for best foreign language film at the Oscars are Peru's "The Milk of Sorrow" ("La Teta Asustada"), French film "A Prophet" (Un Prophete), Argentina's "The Secret In Their Eyes" (El Secreto de Sus Ojos), and German movie "The White Ribbon" (Das Weisse Band). (Editing by Paul Casciato and Bob Tourtellotte) Entertainment More from Reuters Chile keeps shaking, rattling survivors CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - Frightened by more heavy aftershocks, coastal residents in Chile camped out on hillsides on Thursday, five days after one of the strongest earthquakes in a century killed more than 800 people. | Video Senate rejects $250 checks for elderly Obama reasserts Volcker rule, Senate bill seen Clinton fails to win over Brazil on Iran AB InBev sees tough 2010 start Nikkei falls 1.1 percent; jobs data eyed » More Top News Small cities, big spending Beijing's bid to nudge consumers into spending mode has retailers scrambling to China's hinterlands to cash in. Full Article Wei Gu: China's hidden deficit Is change coming for China's yuan? Factbox: Political risks to watch China America's "broken-down city" There's an upside to being economically plagued for decades: When you miss the boom, you also miss the bust. Full Article Factbox: Buffalo, NY at a glance NY state slashes revenue estimate Budget axes swinging across California ECONOMY © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Analyst Research Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Labs Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts.com Buyouts Europe: Buyouts Conferences: Venture Capital Journal EVCJ International Financing Review International Securitisation Report Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Thursday, 4 March 2010
Pennsylvania Man Admits To Running Through The Woods Shirtless Punching Trees
'Corrections Idol' Promotes Positivity, Creativity In Florida Jail
Angry Parents Allegedly Set Fire To Philippine School
Chinese University Student Says He Killed Roommate Over Snoring
Quadriplegic Accidentally Falls Into Mosh Pit At AC/DC Concert, Impales Eye
German Family Wins U.S. Asylum To Home-School Children
Madam In Eliot Spitzer Prostitution Scandal Running For Governor
Pennsylvania Man Killed By Pet Bull
Dad Beats, Binds, Gags Two Small Children
Pigs Pig Out In Plantation
"Provocative" Iran invites more sanctions
Ukraine PM Tymoshenko toppled in parliament vote
Fridges talk to washing machines at high-tech fair
Greece announces more cuts, EU welcomes steps
Spain smashes infected global computer network
Greece announces crisis budget cuts
Kagame calls for trial for accused Rwandan widow
Washington Post unveils paid news app for iPhone
Greece to make cuts of 4.8 billion euros: state TV
Skype comes to Nokia smartphones, companies say
Pope Benedict to make high-profile visit to Spain
Lenovo takes aim at mobile Internet, China market
Reluctant Pashtuns hamper Afghan recruitment drive |
Israel silent on Dubai call for Netanyahu arrest
Arabs give Palestinian-Israeli indirect talks 'final' chance
US-TECH Summary
Kagame assures Rwanda safe after grenade blasts |
Mobile transfers save money and lives in Somalia
Iran 'weapon traffickers' arrested in Italy
Skype comes to Nokia smartphones, companies say
US supports trade ban on tuna
Obama to launch final push for health overhaul
Microsoft COO sees gradual recovery, client caution |
Viacom to drop Jon Stewart, Colbert Report from Hulu |
Indonesia lawmakers back criminal probe on bailout
Ethiopia aid diverted for rebel arms in 1980s: BBC
South Korea to get 'homework' after Ivory Coast win
Australia, Japan win last Asian Cup qualifiers
Japan's prince regrets Masako can't join him on Africa trip
Obama calls for simple majority vote on healthcare
Philippines' Arroyo defends economic record
Malaysian woman meets royals over caning sentence
Three suspected Jemmah Islamiyah allies held in Philippines
China puts economy first as parliamentary season begins
US veterans return to Iwo Jima for 65th reunion
Stress on economy as China holds annual meetings
Asian newcomers take stage at Geneva Motor Show
Many nominees, new stars feed Oscar fashion frenzy |
Naomi Campbell off the hook on assault accusation |
Viacom to drop Jon Stewart, Colbert Report from Hulu |
Sade leads pop chart for third week |
India's Toonz Animation makes US push
Second gay marriage in Argentina
Slovak push to promote patriotism draws fire
Vietnam welcomes Buddha relics
Mohawks kick non-aboriginals off lands in Quebec
Spain smashes infected global computer network
30 Taliban, one Pakistani soldier killed in clash: military
British police arrest 3 for terror funding
Chile keeps shaking, rattling survivors |
Haitian radio host honored for 'tweeting' on quake
Markets look to ECB to end easy money policies
Two killed as cruise ship hit by freak waves off Spain
Clinton fails to win over Brazil on Iran
US economy shows green shoots in winter
Suicide blasts kill 33 ahead of Iraq polls
Dutch anti-Islam leader is major winner in polls |
Book to aid Haiti quake victims goes on sale
US, EU call for new nuclear sanctions against Iran
China says 2010 defense budget to rise 7.5 percent |
Greece announces more cuts, EU welcomes steps
'I have nothing to explain', Chavez tells Spain
U.S. military questions Karzai's steps on corruption |
Nortel gets U.S., Canadian court OK to sell unit
Europe seeks to outline common growth strategy
Google backs HTC in Apple patent suit
Haiti wants more information on foreign aid |
EU envoy visits Haiti, defends lateness of trip
Spanish "botnet" potent enough to attack country: police
Chavez rejects Spanish claim of links to rebels |
U.N.-backed mission launched against Congo rebels |
Earthquake injures 11 in Taiwan; damage limited |
Nobel winners push for Myanmar regime to face court |
U.S. military questions Karzai's steps on corruption
Obama demands final vote on health care
14 suspected terrorists charged in Indonesian Aceh
Obama seeks to push healthcare to final vote
Obama: Congress must 'finish its work' on health overhaul
30 militants, 1 soldier killed in Pakistan battle
Ethiopia aid diverted for rebel arms in 1980s: BBC
Internet cafe ban call draws Chinese hacker wrath
Indonesia president to address nation on bank bailout
China's defence budget to rise 7.5 percent in 2010
Pakistan kills up to 30 militants near Afghan border
Thailand offers tourists free insurance
Pacquiao shoots for fireworks against Clottey
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Nortel gets U.S., Canadian court OK to sell unit |
SKorea: NKorea crossed border to hunt for defector
Size matters at Geneva Motor Show
S.Korea buys 3,000 T non-western aluminium
Movie milestone 'Avatar' eyes Oscars gold
NZ dollar slides further across the board
PAKISTAN
Toyota Prius tops Japan sales despite recall woes
Prius tops Japan February sales amid Toyota woes
Seoul shares edge up; securities firms weigh
Taiwan chip, LCD makers see no big quake damage
RPT-UPDATE 1-S.Korea bond prices rise on rumours -traders
Seoul shares open up on shipyards, autos
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
U.S. bomb expert says "Hurt Locker" stole his story
U.S. bomb expert says Hurt Locker stole his story |
Jeff Bridges among Oscar gamblers' top picks
Movie milestone 'Avatar' eyes Oscars gold
Jeff Bridges among Oscar gamblers' top picks |
Controversies big and small dog Oscars contenders
Israeli film Ajami gets real, aims for Oscar |
Burt Reynolds recovering after heart surgery |
Bullock on brink of bizarre double as Oscars loom
Israeli film "Ajami" gets real, aims for Oscar
Burt Reynolds recovering after heart surgery
Winter yet again, but designers upbeat
Many nominees, new stars feed Oscar fashion frenzy
Seven Iraqi soldiers killed as early voting starts
Far-right celebrates breakthrough in Dutch polls
Europe's economic recovery stalls: EU
Attacks kill 12 as Iraqi troops and police vote |
Samsung unveils fridge with built-in Internet
UK resists S. Africa pressure on Zimbabwe sanctions
Egypt court orders retrial in diva murder case
Greek protestors occupy finance ministry
Israel, Palestinians set for indirect talks
Five killed in Baghdad attack as voting begins
Fabled Afghan province of Nuristan keeps US at bay
Israel, Palestinians set for indirect talks |
Afghan army countering Taliban infiltration: spokesman |
Attacks kill 12 as Iraqi troops and police vote
German court jails Islamists for foiled U.S. attacks |
Early voting begins in Iraq general election
India temple stampede kills 63 people: police |
Britain in law change bid after Israel warrant row
New woe for Vatican as usher linked to prostitution |
Samsung unveils fridge with built-in Internet
Robbers kidnap 5 year-old British boy in Pakistan
NKorea pressures SKorea to restart joint tours
28K fake Louis Vuitton goods seized in Philippines
Pakistan PM to attend US nuclear summit
German court jails Islamists for anti-US plot
Katrina victims seek to sue greenhouse gas emitters
Thailand denies visa to Dalai Lama's sister
Facebook CEO in no rush for IPO |
Olympus eyes 20 percent share in high-end digicam |
US pledges to mend ties, China says
India: 63 dead, dozens injured in temple stampede
Strong earthquake hits Taiwan; 12 people injured
Afghanistan to block some Internet sites: minister |
Morgan Stanley strikes deal to sell China bank stake: report
Pakistani stocks up; rupee firms; o/n rates down
Japan manufacturers' capital spending drops
Toyota Prius tops Japan sales for 10th month
S.Korea ex-fin min denies c.bank rumour -media
Pakistani c.bank sells 14.3 bln rupees of T-bills
Indonesia premier to address nation over bank deal
Georgia looks to bring unique cuisine to world's tables
Many nominees, new stars feed Oscar fashion frenzy |
Cyprus Maronites battle to preserve ancestral language
"Korean Wave" is ebbing but new cultural surge expected
Burt Reynolds recovering after heart surgery |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01