Chaplin,\u201cDr. Caligari\u201d and \u201cAntichrist\u201d will all be at the 25th Haifa International Film Festival which takes place from October 3 \u2013 10 during the Sukkot holidays. If you were looking for a reason to explore the scenic pleasures of Mt. Carmel \u2013 this is it. 150 new movies will be screened at the festival, whose artistic director is Pnina Blayer. The impressive roster includes pre-distribution premieres, such as Woody Allen\u2019s \u201cWhatever Works\u201d, international films that have garnered rave reviews and awards but will not be commercially distributed in Israel, new Israeli films, the Golden Anchor Competition for films from Mediterranean countries, FIPRESCI Award for emerging directors and a focus on films from Eastern Europe. But there is more to the festival than the movies themselves: workshops, discussion panels, poetry and live music performances throughout the week. Midnight East will be there with daily updates.<\/p>\n
Movies & more \u2013 some of the festival highlights:<\/p>\n
Opening ceremonies on Saturday, October 3rd in the presence Mr. Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel and Adv. Yona Yahav, Mayor of Haifa will begin with The Haifa Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rafi Kadishson, performing music from the films: \u201cStar Wars\u201d, \u201cTied Hands\u201d and \u201cCinema Paradiso,\u201d with a violin solo by Eliyahu Shulman. Haifa born and internationally known dancer Ido Tadmor will perform dance segments from Dan Wolman\u2019s film \u201cTied Hands,\u201d followed by a screening of Ang Lee\u2019s \u201cTaking Woodstock.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charlie Chaplin\u2019s 120th will be celebrated with nightly outdoor screenings of his films in the festival piazza.<\/p>\n
\u201cBurning Issues\u201d \u2013 an annual conference co-sponsored by Keren Gesher for Multicultural Films and the festival to discuss current issues in film and television. This year\u2019s focus is on the Short \u2013 examining the place of short films on television and in the theatres. Advance registration is recommended.
\nMonday, October 5, 10:00 \u2013 13:00, the Mirror Hall, Beit Hecht<\/p>\n
That Woodstock 70s groove continues as honored guest of the festival and chair of the panel judging the Israeli Feature Film competition, actor Elliot Gould will receive a prize for excellence in cinema. He will be present at select screenings of his landmark films, such as \u201cMASH,\u201d \u201cBob, Carol, Ted and Alice,\u201d and present a Masterclass in English on \u201cThe 70s of Elliot Gould,\u201d moderated by film critic David D\u2019Arcy.
\nMasterclass: Tuesday, October 6, 18:00, the Mirrors Hall, Beit Hecht<\/p>\n
Henri-Georges Clouseau \u2013 Master of Suspense
\nA tribute to the films of Clouseau will include the screening of the documentary \u201cHenri-Georges Clouseau\u2019s Inferno\u201d, directed by Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medreain addition to Clouseau\u2019s films: \u201cLes Diaboliques\u201d and \u201cL\u2019enfer\u201d.<\/p>\n
World renowned Czech animation artist Michaela Pavlatova will screen her films and conduct a workshop discussing animation techniques.
\nWednesday, October 7, 18:00, the Mirrors Hall, Beit Hecht
\nComic Documentary Cinema special screening of the first Palestinian documentary sitcom \u201cDemon and Madness\u201d directed by Mahmoud Afdile, followed by a panel discussion of filmmakers who employ humor as their cinematic language.
\nWednesday October 7, 20:00, the Mirrors Hall, Beit Hecht<\/p>\n
Poetry and Film: Neighbors \u2013 30 Years to the Peace with Egypt
\nA collage of excerpts from Egyptian films will accompany a panel on the effect of peace on cultural, literary and cinematic creation. The participants include author Sami Michael,\u00a0 Poet Haim Gouri, Professor Sasson Somekh, Professor Uzi Shavit, poet Hiam Kablan, and Eyal Sagi who is an expert on Egyptian film. The session will be moderated by Anat Zaif and accompanied by live music with Wafa Blan and Faiz Abu Hatoum.
\nThe second part of this session will be devoted to poet Haim Gouri.
\nThursday, October 8, 16:00, the Mirrors Hall, Beit Hecht<\/p>\n
The classic \u201cCabinet of Dr. Caligari\u201d will be screened accompanied by music composed for the film and performed by violinist Yuval Gotlibovich and cellist Jonathan Gotlibovich.
\nFriday, October 9, 20:15, Rappaport Hall<\/p>\n
Festive screening of Golden Lion Award winner \u201cLebanon\u201d a film by Samuel Maoz.
\nFriday, October 9, 22:00, Auditorium<\/p>\n
Live Music in Gan HaEm every night! Free!<\/p>\n
Saturday, October 3: 20:00 capoeira, 21:00 Izhak Klepter, Ephraim Shamir & Alon Olarchik
\nSunday, October 4: 21:00 Ronny Peterson in a tribute to Bob Dylan
\nMonday, October 5: 21:00 Izhar Ashdot with Black Velvet in an evening of Irish music
\nTuesday, October 6: 20:00 New Ediction, 21:00 Overtone in a tribute to U2
\nWednesday, October 7: 20:00 Or Eddy, 21:00 The \u201cEchoes\u201d in a 60s tribute
\nThursday, October 8: 20:00 Lydia\u2019s Meatballs, 21:00 A tribute to Meir Ariel
\nFriday, October 9: 20:00 Avilon, 21:00 Magical Mystery \u2013 a tribute to the Beatles
\nSaturday, October 10: 20:00 Hadar Ya\u2019ar, 21:00 Reggae tribute to Bob Marley<\/p>\n