AMERICA

2022/ 127 min / color

Five years ago, we showed Ofir Raul Graizer’s acclaimed film The Cakemaker as part of a themed section of the festival. The story of a German confectioner who travels to Jerusalem to find the family of his dead lover was hugely popular, both in Krakow and elsewhere, and the film won quite a few festival awards. America, which is included in the lineup of this year’s Mastercard OFF CAMERA, largely continues the thematic interests of the Israeli-born director. The protagonist of the film is a man named Eli who works as a swimming coach in Chicago. News of his father’s death spurs him to go back to his homeland, at least for a while. While he’s there, he reconnects with his childhood friend Yotam, who runs a flower shop with his fiancée Iris. This seemingly innocent situation sets in motion a series of events that will have a significant impact on the future of all three of them, while also showing Eli that you can’t keep running away from your past.

• Jerusalem IFF – Best Actress (Oshrat Ingadashet)
• Miami Jewish Film Festival – The Critics Prize
• Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival – Audience Award