Israeli Critic Picks: ‘Sweet Mud,’ ‘Someone to Run With,’ ‘Salt of the Earth,’ ‘The Ashkenazim’

On Sept. 13, I briefly mentioned that the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema (CFIC) will introduce to Chicago and Chicagoland the best films Israel has to offer from Oct. 18 to 28.

Press representative Cheryl Jacobs Lewin noticed the post and followed up with me with more information.


The 2007 CFIC will open on the evening of Oct. 18 at AMC Loews Pipers Alley 4 at 1608 N. Wells where it will run through Sunday evening on Oct. 21.

The festival then moves to the Wilmette Theatre at 1122 Central Ave. in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette where it will run from Monday evening on Oct. 22 through Sunday evening on Oct. 28.

Most films are in Hebrew with English subtitles. I particularly have my eye on these films:

The 98-minute feature film “Sweet Mud”.

The film is a product of the Sundance Film Lab and is a Sundance award winner. The story centers around a 12-year-old boy on a secluded kibbutz in the desert who learns his mother is mentally ill.

Oded Davidoff’s 118-minute feature film “Someone to Run With,” which is a story of self-discovery based on the best-selling novel by David Grossman.

The 114-minute feature film “Salt of the Earth” with Israeli box-office star Aki Avni. He will attend and introduce this dark crime drama at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Wilmette Theatre.

The 52-minute documentary “The Ashkenazim,” which is a humorous look at young Israelis in search of their Ashkenazi roots.

Tickets for all films at AMC Loews Pipers Alley 4 (other than opening night) are $10. Tickets are available beginning on Sept. 27 at the theater box office and at Fandango. Tickets for opening night are $25 at 847-675-FEST.

Tickets for all films at the Wilmette Theatre are $10 and are now available at the theater box office and at this Web site.