About Opening Night Film & Festivities

ATTN: Pre-Sales ended. Standby tickets only - released at SJFF Box Office, opening 7:30 PM. Those without a ticket, arrive early and get in line. Pass holders arrive early or you will not be guaranteed a seat. After pass holders enter, we will release remaining seats available at 8:20 PM.

An encore screening of A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS will take place on Thursday, June 9 at 7:00 PM at The Stroum Jewish Community Center of Greater Seattle. Tickets: bit.ly/SJFFencore

-- “The most revolutionary Jewish movie since Schindler's List” – Esquire Magazine

Academy Award®-winning actress Natalie Portman makes her feature directorial debut in this adaptation of celebrated Israeli author Amos Oz’s international best-selling memoir.

This touching, dream-like film tells the tale of an immigrant family’s struggles alongside the birth of the nation of Israel. In the mid-1940s, 8-year-old Amos (Amir Tessler) lives in British Mandate Palestine with his stoic father Arieh (Gilad Kahana) and his emotionally fragile mother Fania (Portman). The rising tensions between Arabs and Jews is mirrored in the troubled marriage of Amos’ parents. Though much of the story is told through Amos’ eyes, the narrative’s focus remains on Fania, and Amos’ deep affection for his mother is clear—as is Portman’s connection to this complex and troubled character. Portman imbues Fania with a regal, tortured spirit, sensitively portraying her spiritual longing and desolation while allowing her deep affection for her only child to shine through.

Director Bio

Natalie Portman’s directing is assured and visually rich, creating a compelling rendition of Oz’s heartfelt story and a nuanced portrait of the actress’s home country. Prior to A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS, Portman directed one short film (Eve, 2008) and a segment of the feature film NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU produced by Seattle’s own Michael Benaroya. This is Portman’s first Hebrew-language film since starring in Amos Gitai’s FREE ZONE in 2005.

About the Festivities

6:30 PM Happy Hour in the AMC lobby: no host bar
8:30 PM Intros & Film
Post-film Tom Douglas Dessert Party

Sponsors:

• Martin Selig and Catherine Mayer
• Catering Sponsor: Tom Douglas Restaurants

Community Partner:

• Seattle Hadassah