Shorts: The Arts

Israeli film festival in San Jose

The Oscar-winning film "West Bank Story," as well as other Israeli features and documentaries, will screen in the film festival "Israel 2007," opening Wednesday, May 9 at Camera 12 Theatres in San Jose.

The films slotted to screen are "Things Behind the Sun," at 7 p.m. May 9; "Frozen Days," at 7:30 p.m. May 16; "Avi, Avi," at 3 p.m. May 20, followed by "West Bank Story" and "Three Mothers" at 5:30.

The Silicon Valley Israeli Film Festival is produced by the San Jose Film Festival.

All of the films will be shown at Camera 12, 201 S. Second St., San Jose. www.sjjff.org/sviff or (800) 838-3006.




Gitai making movie on Gaza withdrawal

Israeli director Amos Gitai is making a film about the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza. "Disengagement," starring French actress Juliette Binoche, began filming this week in southern Israel. Binoche said she plays a woman whose daughter is among some 8,000 settlers evacuated from Gaza by the Sharon government in a move billed as breaking the diplomatic deadlock with the Palestinians.

Because the 2005 summer pullout remains sensitive given the political ascendancy of Hamas in the Palestinian arena, "Disengagement" is being shot on a closed set to avoid provoking right-wingers opposed to the pullout. — jta




Teens invited to dance-off for northern Israel

A dance-a-thon for teens to raise money for rebuilding efforts in northern Israel will be held at this year's Israel in the Gardens celebration in San Francisco.

Jewish Family and Children's Services is inviting teen groups to participate in DancElation at the June 3 event, from noon to 3 p.m. at Yerba Buena Gardens. The event will bring together teen groups from throughout the Bay Area and raise money (through registration fees) for victims of fighting in northern Israel.

A DJ will play Israeli pop music and instructors will offer lessons in Israeli dance, salsa and hip-hop. The instructors will also serve as judges in contests for the biggest team, most spirited, best choreography, and other categories, for which prizes will be awarded.

To register, call Gail Fisher at (415) 359-2467.