Camden New Journal - Movies: Pick of the Indies

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The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 1 November 2007

Pick of the Indies

THE Band’s Visit is just one of the highlights of this months Jewish Film festival. The film has some classic moments and as an opener for the festival it sets the tone.
Due to be screened on Saturday at Screen On The Hill, Belsize Park, I can guarantee that if you are at a loose end this weekend, you’d do far worse than go and check out this bizarre movie, which won an award at Cannes earlier in the year.
The story goes like this: The Alexandria Ceremonial Police Band is heading from Israel to Egypt when they get stranded in one of those towns you just don’t mark with a red pen as a must-see place.
The bands conductor Tawfiq (Sasson Gabai) has to contend with keeping his performers out of trouble – not an easy task when they are befriended by café owner, the flirtatious Dina (Ronit Elkabetz).
Dina is not the only local who wants to meet the guests.
From all corners of the town appear some wonderfully quirky characters appear and by the end of the feature both the Israeli and Egyptians have learnt a little more about themselves and each other.
Its warm, funny and worthy of kicking off the festival.
Other highlights this week include Gorgeous! A Parisian Sex-In-The City-style show about three French women muddling through their working lives, having babies and falling love.
That too is on at Screen on the Hill on Saturday.
Other inspirational films at the Belsize Park venue include Aviva My Love, on Wednesday, which tells the story of wannabe writer Aviva who lives in a small town in Northern Israel and is trying to balance the humdrum realities of life with her creative urges.
Dan Carrier

* For more information, call The Screen on The Hill on 020 7435 3366.

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