Jan 27th   
A Tale of Love and Darkness**       
(Israel/US 2015)                      
Icon/Voltage. 98m. ws

Childhood experiences of Amos Oz in the early founding years of Israel after his young mother has fled Jewish persecution in Europe during WWII.
Marking Holocaust Memorial Day with this thoughtful biographical drama with some pretty moments of visual style, largely dominated on-screen by a glamorous looking star who also proves to be an accomplished director. Generally rather sombre, especially if viewed from outside its Israeli perspective, with just occasional brighter moments of hope.

Written and Directed by: Natalie Portman, from the book by Amos Oz.
Producers: Ram Bergman, David Mandil.
Starring: Natalie Portman, Amir Tessler, Gilad Kahana. Alexander Peleg, Nela Riskin, Dina Doran, Yannatan Shiray.
Photography: Slawomir Idziak.
Music: Nicholas Britell.


Preceded by:
Look at Life: The Cinema Steps Out**
(GB 1960. Rank.9.; Interesting brief study of early cinema as well as a stroll through the various London cinemas of the time, including those under redevelopment.; narr: Tim Turner; featuring Leslie Phillips, Juliet Mills.)