About Opening Film & Festivities    

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.

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.

Join Us! Before & After

7:30 PM Happy Hour: Join the Stroum JCC board and staff for a no-host bar ($3 beer/$5 wine) happy hour in the upstairs lobby at AMC. 

8:30 PM Welcome & Film

10:30 PM Tom Douglas Dessert Party 

 Sponsors:

• Tom Douglas Restaurants
  One of Seattle's most celebrated restauranteurs provides a sumptuous array of desserts post film while you schmooze with your fellow film lovers and discuss our opening night film.

Sponsor:

• Tom Douglas Restauants

Community Partner:

• Seattle Hadassah