SYNOPSIS
A cannily droll mix of social commentary and modern fable, Israeli filmmaker Ra'anan Alexandrowicz's (THE INNER TOUR) debut feature follows the adventures of young James, a devout wide-eyed Christian attempting a pilgrimage from his African village to the Holy Land. Jailed by the immigration authorities upon his arrival in Tel Aviv, this contemporary Candide is miraculously bailed out by a shady small-time businessman only to become part of his migrant labor pool. Undeterred, James perseveres in his religious quest-until he gets a taste of fortune by exploiting his employer's friends and colleagues for his own profit. Alexandrowicz filters an astute exploration of the economic, moral and spiritual hypocrisies of Western society through an evocative portrait of modern Israel's cultural and generational divisions. Topped with a moving and charismatic performance by South African actor Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, JAMES' JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM stealthily layers these serious issues with biting wit and a lilting fairy-tale charm.
Directed by Ra'anan Alexandrowicz
Israel | 2003 | 87 mins | Color
35mm | 1.85:1 aspect ratio
In Hebrew, English and Zulu with English subtitles
© 2004 Zeitgeist Films Ltd.