UK Jewish Film Festival 2009 presents the Centrepiece Gala- UK Premiere: Jaffa plus post-screening drinks reception

Dir. Keren Yedaya | Israel/Germany/France | 2009 | 106 mins | Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles
Starring Ronit Elkabetz,Dana Ivgy and Moni Moshonov

What if Romeo and Juliet were alive today and living in Jaffa? Mali,a young Jewish woman, has a secret relationship with Toufik, the Arab mechanic who works in her father’s garage. When they discover that she is expecting a child, they decide to run away together. However, tensions mount between Toufik and Mali’s racist brother and the ensuing confrontation changes the young lovers’ destinies forever.

Inspired by classic Egyptian melodrama with all its intense emotion and pathos Jaffa is sensitively directed by Keren Yedaya, whose 2004 film Or won five awards at the Cannes Film Festival including the Critics Week Grand Prix and Camera d’Or. Jaffa also features a stellar cast led by the outstanding Ronit Elkabetz (Late Marriage, Or, The Band’s Visit) as the indulged and beautiful mother- a pivotal figure in the unfolding drama with her highly charged emotional fragility; Moni Moshonov (Late Marriage,Two Lovers) and rising star Dana Ivgy (Or,The Secrets). A star-studded cast who bring the characters passionately to life.

Ronit Elkabetz will attend the screening, which will be followed by a Q&A.