Acclaimed Israeli Film Director Yaky "Yankul" Goldwasser Dies at 76

Yaky "Yankul" Goldwasser, a prominent Israeli film and television director and screenwriter, has passed away at the age of 76. Goldwasser, who worked in the industry for over three decades, was known for directing several iconic Israeli films of the 1980s and 1990s, including "Under the Nose," "Abba Ganuv," "Beyond the Sea," and "Max and Maurice."

Born in Tel Aviv, Goldwasser began his filmmaking journey in his youth, collaborating on short films with his friend Yaki Yosef. His directorial debut was the 1982 film "Under the Nose," co-written with Haim Marin, which was based on a true story about a safe stolen from a police station in Tel Aviv. The film starred Moshe Ivgy and Uri Gabriel. In 1987, he directed "Abba Ganuv," starring Yehuda Barkhan, which became a box office hit and a cult classic. He later directed "Beyond the Sea" (1991) and "Max and Maurice" (1994), a spiritual successor to "Under the Nose."

Goldwasser also had a significant career in television, directing episodes of "To Catch the Sky" and serving as the main director for "Jerusalem Mix" for three seasons. He was also dedicated to teaching filmmaking and directing, instructing at Tel Aviv University, Beit Berl, Bezalel, the Sam Spiegel Film School, and other institutions.

His last film, "Shoelace," released in 2018, was inspired by his personal life. The film tells the story of Gadi, a young man with a mild intellectual disability, who moves in with his biological father after his mother's sudden death. Dov Glickman won an Ophir Award for his performance. The character of Gadi was inspired by Goldwasser's son, Uri, who has a short-term memory impairment and lives in a supportive community.

Goldwasser's funeral is scheduled for Friday at 10:30 AM at the Yarkon Cemetery.