From July ’10 Spotlight: Cinema/Chicago, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest, will show the 2004 film Avanim as part of this year’s International Summer Festival.
Avanim (Stones) is a closely-observed, first-person film about “Michale.” Michale’s life reaches a crisis point when her father is drawn into plans to fund the expansion of a local yeshiva. The Rabbi is an old family friend, but Michale has her doubts about his new Gabai, a man intent on pulling the congregation in an increasingly Orthodox direction. Their acrimonious relationship leads to tragedy, exposing important rifts in contemporary Israeli life.
Israeli film lovers will spot many familiar faces in Avanim including Asi Levy (Aviva My Love), Shaul Mizrachi (Ushpizin), and Uri Gavriel (The Syrian Bride and The Band’s Visit). Screenings at the Chicago Cultural Center (Michigan and Randolph) are scheduled for Weds July 28 at 6:30 PM and Sat July 31 at 2 PM. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit: www.cinemachicago.org.
Meanwhile, the Gene Siskel Film Center (on State Street) has screenings of The Girl on the Train scheduled from July 11 through July 14…
