InfoAnda - Life imitates art in Oscar-nominated Israeli film

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

Nintendo's new Wii fires up two-screen game debate | | 8 June 2012
Taiwan Formosa says No.2 naphtha cracker to shut Tues | 5 October 2010
North Korea offers samples to refute ship sinking | 2 November 2010

Hollywood's eyes focus on Golden Globe Awards | | 17 January 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Life imitates art in Oscar-nominated Israeli film

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Life imitates art in Oscar-nominated Israeli film By BEN HUBBARD,Associated Press Writer - Wednesday, February 10 Send IM Story Print JAFFA, Israel – There's a reason for the gritty feel of reality in "Ajami," an Oscar-nominated Israeli film about the lives of Arabs and Jews in the impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhoods of this Mediterranean city: Its amateur actors' lives eerily mirror their art. An actress who lost her ex-husband to gang violence plays a woman fearful her son will die the same way. Neighborhood police are played by real-life former Israeli police officers. And last week, two brothers of the film's co-director were arrested for scuffling with police in a scene remarkably similar to one in "Ajami," only days after the low-budget movie was announced as an Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film. "Ajami" draws even more profoundly from the world it depicts than the 2008 blockbuster and Best Picture Oscar winner "Slumdog Millionaire," with its two leading child actors from the Indian slums. The Israeli co-directors _ Yaron Shani, a Jew, and Scandar Copti, an Arab _ shot "Ajami" on location in the rundown, scrappy neighborhood of the same name in the city of Jaffa. More importantly, many from the entirely amateur cast were residents. Copti himself hails from Ajami. But just how true-to-life their depiction ended up came into sharp focus with the arrest of two of Copti's brothers, one of whom appeared in the film. Residents said that on Saturday evening, two teenagers were burying a dead dog when police arrived, suspecting they were hiding drugs. When they questioned the youths, Arab neighbors, who generally distrust law enforcement, came to the scene, some scuffling with police. Tony Copti, 29, who appeared in the film, told The Associated Press that police are often harsh with Arab residents. After confronting police, he and his brother Jiriass were handcuffed and sprayed in the face with pepper spray before being taken away for questioning, he said. Police said they briefly detained the men for attacking officers, releasing them after questioning. They gave no further details. The incident recalls a scene from the film, when police enter Ajami to arrest a drug dealer and neighbors protest, allowing the dealer to slip away. In the next scene, Jewish police blame Arab residents for preventing them from cleaning up the neighborhood. "The story in the film, that's how it really happens in Jaffa," Tony Copti said. Jaffa is an ancient seaport with roots as far back as the 8th century B.C. Today it is part of the much larger, modern Israeli city of Tel Aviv. Many Arab residents fled Jaffa or were driven out during the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948. Now about 14,000 Arabs live in Jaffa alongside some 40,000 Jews. Many neighborhoods are known for poverty, crime and drugs. The film, which has been praised in Israel for depicting both Jews and Arabs without demonizing either, lays out intertwining story lines revolving around the neighborhood. In the movie, a young Arab man reluctantly takes up drug dealing to pay off a debt. A Jewish police officer clashes with Arab residents while dealing with grief over the disappearance of his brother, an Israeli soldier. A Palestinian boy from the West Bank works in Israel illegally to pay his mother's hospital bills. A Christian father refuses to let his daughter marry the Muslim she loves. The film, which cost about $1 million, won a special mention at the Cannes Film Festival last year. It is the first Israeli film shot primarily in Arabic to compete for an Oscar. To cast the film, the directors held acting workshops to drum up talent for each character or group of people in the film _ one looked for Jewish police, others for Arab mothers or young men. The idea was that people acting based on personal experience can outshine professional actors, Shani said. "They forget that it's fiction and delve into the drama, and you can see amazing feelings coming out of them," he said. At least two of the Jewish police in the film are former Israeli officers, one of whom worked in Jaffa. Other actors bear less obvious resemblance to their characters. The illegal West Bank worker is an Israeli citizen, but he's from an Arab town near the West Bank, making his accent right for the film, Shani said. The similarities between actress Nisreen Siksik and her character are perhaps the most striking. Almost two decades ago, a friend of Siksik's then-husband was shot and killed in Ajami. The gang came after her husband, fearing he'd be a witness in court, she said. Over the years, they made four attempts on his life, once shooting him eight times, another time putting a bomb under his car. In 2005, they ambushed him in his shop, shooting him and sticking around to make sure he was dead. "It was exactly like the film," said Siksik, 45, a mother of four who still lives in the neighborhood. Siksik said those years living in fear affected how she acted on camera, especially in a scene where her character slaps her son, then erupts into tears when she realizes he has been outside where a gang seeking to kill him could have found him. "It brought back all that was in my past," she said. Since the film's release, Siksik, who works for a Jaffa theater company, has acted in two other Israeli films, but says she has no interest in pursuing an acting career. Shahir Kabaha, the 25-year-old who plays her character's son, appears to have other ideas. The film made a local star out of Kabaha, who works in his father's modest Jaffa bakery, and strangers now recognize him on the street. He has since enrolled at a local university to study acting and hopes to land roles in future films. On a recent evening, Kabaha was back behind the bakery counter, ringing up orders and putting cherries on a birthday cake. When an AP reporter approached to ask how the film had changed him, Kabaha declined to talk _ then he picked up his cell phone and called his agent. ___ Associated Press Writer Diaa Hadid contributed to this report from Jaffa. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Utah to consider second radioactive waste dump AP - 1 hour 49 minutes ago Obama speaks hopefully of movement on jobs bill AP - 1 hour 55 minutes ago Obama says both sides have to give on health care AP - 1 hour 58 minutes ago LAPD: Arrest made in killings of anti-gang worker AP - 2 hours 1 minute ago Obama: joint action can build business confidence AP - 2 hours 6 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Opel unveils turnaround plan, 8,300 jobs slashed Pitt, Jolie sue British paper over split claims French intellectual caught quoting fake philosopher Third-hand smoke also bad for you: study Jackson doctor denies manslaughter charge More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Study confirms link between maternal age and autism Toyota faces fresh questions over recall response Sugary soft drinks linked to pancreatic cancer: study Pitt, Jolie sue British paper over split claims Third-hand smoke also bad for you: study More Most Viewed » Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Barroso team wins approval from EU parliament
EA in the red for 12th quarter in a row
Opel unveils turnaround plan, 8,300 jobs slashed
Pilot error behind Ethiopian jet crash
China PLA officers urge economic punch against U.S. |
Google adding status updates to Gmail
India's software exports face protectionism
Sudan, Chad agree "definitive end" to proxy wars
Pitt, Jolie sue British paper over split claims
China to crack down on online gambling
Afghan avalanches kill 24, up to 40 missing: govt
British PM to face Iraq inquiry in early March
Life imitates art in Oscar-nominated Israeli film
Italy says Iranian militia attacked its embassy |
Russian tycoon says ex-spy murder claim outrageous |
Israel urges "crippling" sanctions now against Iran
Google tweaks Gmail to challenge Facebook, Twitter |
Too early for decision on Myanmar election, says Suu Kyi
Clinton asked to intervene in Haiti kidnap case
China calls for new checks amid milk scare
GOP wary of pitfalls in Obama's health care summit
Taiwan insists submarines, jets still on arms agenda
Newark airport breach suspect pleads not guilty
State Farm says it warned NHTSA on Toyota in 2007
China officers urge economic punch against U.S.
Snowstorms force US House to scrap work week
Colourful Philippine election season kicks off
ATF blames Texas church fires on serial arsonist
China gives 5 years to activist who probed quake
LAPD: Arrest made in killings of anti-gang worker
White House hastens concert to beat snow
US Army closes in on targeted southern Afghan town
Toyota announces mass hybrid vehicle recall
Death of Kerrigan's father is ruled a homicide
Cambodia wants World Court to rule on Thai border
Investigators: acceleration problem not resolved
India halts genetically modified eggplant release
Hollywood names up for Olivier theater awards
Japan Airlines rejects Delta, stays with American
S.Korean creditors offer Kumho 326 million dollar loan
Ma says China trade pact crucial to Taiwan
Malaysia's Maybank Q2 profit up 35 percent
Thai Airways plans to lease 15 new aircraft
Upbeat Nissan now expects full-year profit
Perez Hilton, Black Eyed Peas manager settle suit
Japanese plane seat maker admits falsifying safety data
Angelina Jolie visits quake-hit Haiti |
Sarkozy senior exhibits paintings in Budapest
Renault to open dealership network in India
China's NetEase reapplies for 'World of Warcraft' licence
Auto sales surged 50 percent last month in India
Louis Gossett Jr. fighting prostate cancer |
Indian police vow extra security for new Bollywood film
Singapore welcomes 9.7 million visitors in 2009
US allows Cambodia to reschedule $317 mln debt
DeGeneres says Cowell is `meaner than I thought'
India mulls anti-honour killings law
Study: Pop culture helps Indonesia fight terrorism
Bad liquor kills 8 on Indonesia's Java island
Strawberries offer lifeline for Romania's rust belt
Record Super Bowl telecast tops M*A*S*H record |
Trailblazing Uzbek photographer goes on trial for slander
Einstein's first wife's kin wants her reburied in Serbia
UN forecasts 'stable' Afghan opium crop
US-TECH Summary
Greek gov't workers strike amid reports of European lifeline
Obama warns of swift sanctions against Iran
Tune in, turn off, iPod generation finds perfect haven
Obama says world moving quickly on Iran sanctions
Google Gmail tweak challenges Facebook, Twitter
Haiti secure after quake, but escapees a concern: U.N. |
Nigerian VP assumes office as acting president |
US Marines gear up for major Afghan assault
Japan PM sees new reform minister lifting support |
Disney CEO seduced by iPad
Google Maps climbs to Olympic peaks
NY Times editor rejects call to remove Jerusalem bureau chief
How the poor can get poorer, and be OK about that |
Coroner confirms 2 Mexican children died in rains
Google Gmail tweak challenges Facebook, Twitter |
Discovery Channel: 'Deadliest Catch' captain dies
Second big snowstorm slams U.S. East Coast
Tune in, turn off, iPod generation finds perfect haven |
China jails young man for joining political party
China high court stresses 'mercy' in death penalty
Changes proposed in how psychiatrists diagnose
Malaysia: Anwar sodomy judge mulls stepping down
US denies defense crisis with Russia
Google enters fray in Thai-Cambodia border dispute
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
LA-area foothills under mudslide threat
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
City vehicles strike 2 in San Francisco accidents
Damage to homes near Conn. power plant is assessed
AP NewsAlert
Anwar defence accuses Malaysia trial judge of lies
Fresh snow misery hits eastern US
Sri Lanka set for snap election
Myanmar court sentences US man to 3 years prison
As 'Avatar' conquers, Fox also eyes local releases
Hollywood sign gets makeover for fundraising drive
China to curb maverick steelmaking as costs rise
Seoul shares end flat; banks, commods rise
Taiwan sells T$40 bln bonds at 1.95 pct yield
Ellen finds Simon a challenge on Idol |
China exports show trade recovery on track
Disney aims to shorten big-screen run for Alice |
Cruise takes on Mission: Impossible IV |
Toyota starts fixing Priuses recalled in Japan
Baidu's rosy outlook after Google China quit threat
Lil Wayne sentencing postponed, says goodbye to fans |
Philippines exports surge in December
PAKISTAN
White Stripes objects to Air Force Reserve ad |
Honda airbag problem, 437,763 vehicles recalled
Discovery Channel: 'Deadliest Catch' captain dies
Hollywood sign gets makeover for fundraising drive |
S.Korea Dec money supply growth hits 13-mth high
Disney aims to shorten big-screen run for "Alice"
Academy streamlines process for Oscar winners |
As 'Avatar' conquers, Fox also eyes local releases
Vampire author Anne Rice set to release video book
Fans delighted by DeGeneres' 'Idol' debut
Vancouver's poor
Academy streamlines process for Oscar winners
White House rings with sound of emancipation, protest
Cashing in on Mandela, 20 years after freedom
Hollywood sign gets makeover for fundraising drive
Lebanon backs Hezbollah against Israel
Yanukovych wins Ukraine vote by 3.5%: results
Pakistan has credible information Mehsud dead |
Iran says makes arrests before revolution day rally |
Penguin future looks perkier with marine zone: study
Global mobile broadband spending seen up to $72 billion
Iran says nuclear fuel swap remains an option
Autopsy Results Rule Jackson's Death Homicide
Afghanistan says ready if thousands flee assault |
Australian study supports gastric surgery for obese teens
Reuters photographer says reborn after freed by U.S.
Opera says to introduce faster browser for iPhone
Greek union marches to challenge austerity plan |
Australian govt websites face censorship protest
Lady Antebellum Debut At #1 On Billboard Albums Chart With "Need You Now"
More than 150 killed in Afghan avalanches |
Afghan avalanche toll hits 160: official
"Avatar" Officially Surpasses "Titanic" As The Highest Grossing U.S. Film Of All-Time
Clashes erupt in Sri Lanka over general's arrest |
Somali clashes kill 24, thousands flee capital |
Oscar Noms For "Avatar" Translate To Increased Business For Fandango
Israeli warplanes bomb southern Gaza
UK government forced to disclose U.S. torture allegations |
Afghan avalanches kill 165, rescue underway
"Avatar," "The Hurt Locker" Lead Oscar Nominations
Iran rewards Basij militia with political clout
Yanukovich tells Ukraine rival to quit as premier |
UNODC sees further drop in Afghan opium production
Sprint loss narrows but revenue misses expectations |
UN envoy in North Korea to spur nuke talks
Emblaze says Microsoft, Apple infringe its patents |
Global mobile broadband spending seen up to $72 billion |
Officials: Afghan avalanches kill 157 people
Opera says to introduce faster browser for iPhone |
Soldier detained over teen's death in Kashmir
Obama to meet with black leaders on the economy
Security tight as Myanmar workers strike in Yangon
Unflattering Pre-Photoshopped Pics Of Madonna Surface On Internet Blogs
Space shuttle Endeavour pulls in at space station
Cross-examination begins for serial murder suspect
Jennifer Aniston Says Gerard Butler's "A Fun Guy" To Work With
Pakistan has "credible information" Mehsud dead
AP sources: FAA eyes hefty fines for American
Clinton Campaign Office Hostage-Taker On The Lam
NZ teen kidnaps puppy to save it from euthanasia
Obama, Palin trade telling jibes over crib sheets
Illinois Wakes Up To Rare Earthquake
Gov't fitness efforts haven't stemmed kid obesity
Pakistani army helicopter crashes, 2 feared dead
Generation 2 Worldwide and "ChildESIGNS" Drop Side Crib Brands Recalled; Three Infant Deaths Reported
Pakistan: Taliban leader's reported death credible
Psychiatric Group Proposes Changes To Mental Disorder Categories
PROMISES, PROMISES: War widows' futile fight
Aussie wheat board trial starts over Iraq payments
Innovage LLC Recalls Discovery Kids Lamps Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
Lil Wayne's Prison Stint Delayed By Dental Appointment
Anonymous Businesses Put Up Billboard Ad With George W. Bush's Image
MS Less Likely In Those Whose Pregnant Mothers Drank Milk
Rio Tinto employees to stand trial in China
Report: Rio Tinto employees to stand trial
Honda airbag fault fuels Japan's auto woes
Pakistani o/n rates rise; rupee weakens; stocks down
Stan Lee gives himself a role in Super Seven |
KOREA MARKETS-Some players seek insurance as doves reign
Taiwan to end ban on LCD, chip investment in China
Steel giant ArcelorMittal posts profit
For defense team, singer's fame may pose challenge
Indonesia hotel bombing suspect goes on trial
Japan machinery orders jump 20 percent in December
Indonesian said "God is great" as hotels attacked
Conference takes on "What the world needs now"
Toshiba plans for new chip factory: report
South Korea jobless rate jumps to nine-year high
Hard times in Gaza fill ranks of Hamas police
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Stan Lee gives himself a role in "Super Seven"
Chopped-off heads and other Paris treasures on show
Riot Erupts at Saudi Girls' School
Anonymous Businesses Put Up Billboard Ad With George W. Bush's Image
Google Challenges Facebook, Twitter With Gmail 'Buzz'
American Airlines Charging For Blankets On Domestic, Some International Flights
Tiger Woods & Rosie O'Donnell Make For Least Desirable Valentines According To New Survey
O'Hare Wants To Use Cemetery For Runway Expansion
British Girls Becoming Pregnant At Age Ten
North Korean Government Releases Detained United States Missionary; Robert Parks Back Home
Angry Army Father Arrested After Allegedly Waterboarding 4-Year-Old Daughter
Ohio Strip Club Raises Funds For Haiti With Lap Dances For Charity
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