Desert Film Festival Brings International Hits to Arava

The 15th Arava International Film Festival will screen acclaimed international films, including nine Israeli premieres, from November 4 to 14 near the community of Tzukim. The festival, expanding to two open-air screening areas for the first time, will feature award-winning movies from major global festivals. Among the Israeli premieres is Florian Zeller's thriller "Bunker," starring Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, about an architect designing a luxury survival bunker. Peter Farrelly's "I, Rocky," detailing Sylvester Stallone's struggle to bring the iconic film to the screen, will also be shown. Other premieres include the director's "A Woman," which won the Golden Lion at Venice, and "The Debt" with Boyd Holbrook, Hiam Abbass, and Kenneth Branagh. "Elephants in the Fog," a drama about a transgender community in Nepal that won a jury prize at Cannes, is also highlighted.

The festival will also present films recognized at other major festivals. Christian Mungiu's "Fjord," starring Sebastian Stan and Renata Reinsve, comes after winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Andrey Zvyagintsev's "Minotaur" marks his return to filmmaking after a nine-year absence, and Paweł Pawlikowski's "Land of Ancestors," starring Sandra Hüller and August Diehl, earned him the Best Director award at Cannes. Ilker Çatak's "The Yellow Letters," a Golden Bear winner at Berlin about Turkish theater artists clashing with authorities, will be screened. Nanni Moretti's "It Will Happen Tonight," based on Eshkol Nevo's novel "Hungry Heart" and starring Louis Garrel and Jasmine Trinca, is another notable film.

A special tribute to director Billy Wilder will include screenings of "Double Indemnity," "Sabrina," "Some Like It Hot," and "The Apartment." This tribute is dedicated to the memory of journalist and artistic advisor Edna Fineiro, who passed away in June and was a long-time festival staff member. Restored classic films like "The Seventh Seal," "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," and "Night of the Hunter" will also be shown.

Israeli cinema will be represented on opening night with films shot in the desert, supported by the Negev Film Fund, including Ruti Priber's "What Will Come" starring Ronit Yudkevitch, and Shiran Shaharbani's "Zebras." Assaf Meckness's "Where To," which won awards at the Jerusalem Film Festival, will also be screened. Founded in 2012 by producer Eyal Shirai and the Central Arava Regional Council, the festival will also offer children's and youth screenings and a seminar for film students.