Israel is an important player in the world-cinema arena. Case in point: An Israeli film has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film four times out of the past five ceremonies. The nominees were all rich, thought-provoking pieces of cinema, but collectively they were short on humor. The 2012 Summer Israeli Film Series:Three Servings of Funny promises to highlight the lighthearted side of Israeli cinema with three delightful comedies.
This year’s showcase opens with Little Simico’s Big Fantasy. The 2011 comedy stars Simico, a man of simple ambitions gone larger than life. His modest existence working at a hummus joint is disrupted when he takes a photography class and becomes inspired to create a film about strippers. The ensuing adventure is a testament to the joys of community and the importance of dreaming big.
Other films in the showcase are Salsa Tel Aviv, a romantic comedy about a Mexican woman who has followed her husband to Israel, where they both become dance teachers, and The Policeman, the story of an Israeli anti-terrorist officer and the criminals he pursues, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 1972.
7:30 today, July 19 and August 23. Jewish Community Center, 5601 South Braeswood. For information, call 713-729-3200 or visit www.erjcchouston.org.
Wed., June 20, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., July 19, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m., 2012
This article appears in Jun 14-20, 2012.