Jerusalem Film Festival Week

Summer time in Jerusalem,

and for over 30 years,

the Jerusalem Film Festival

has screened thousands of films.

This year for the first time

there are films being shown in Gan Haatzmaut,

Independence Park, in the Wilf Garden.

Security was so strict,

this is as close as I could get without buying a ticket.

But the main events are usually

shown at the Cinematheque,

where finally for the first time

disabled movie goers can access without steps,

using this newly-built elevator.

I think it is worth going just for the view.

However, the opening night of the festival,

was held in the Sultan’s Pool.

Even the Tower of David, not so far away,

is dwarfed by the size of this outdoor screen.

Minister of Sports and Culture Miri Regev,

was one of the speakers.

Special guest movie director and film star,

Quentin Tarantino received a special award

from Mayor Nir Barkat before the film.

The star of the movie, Emma Suraez,

was on stage to accept flowers.

But as much as there were numerous Tarantino spottings,

I assume Emma could go around Jerusalem without being noticed.

Also on the same night,

Israeli singer Idan Raichel received a special honor

by the B’nai Brith World Center,

in recognition of advancing Israeli-Diaspora relations.

I have seen him surrounded by screaming fans,

anxious to get close enough to take a selfie,

but when Idan entered the hall,

I was the only one who came over.

At least after he was presented with his certificate,

there was more notice.

Different crowds, different reactions.

Miri Regev was booed during her speech

 at the Sultan’s Pool by some of the audience.

But three days later,

at the Jerusalem Theater

for the official ceremony remembering

40 years since Entebbe.

Miri Regev sat in the front row with the dignitaries.

When the program was over

she was surrounded by well wishers

who wanted to be in photos with her.

As the emotional and well-done program

neared the end,

I thought I saw the Prime Minister,

glance at his watch.

The Foreign Minister of Egypt was on his way

to have dinner with the Netanyahus.

While for some this week,

nothing could be bigger than the Euro 2016 football (soccer)

on the television.

There are free movies shown at night,

at First Station and in the Old City,

as the Film Festival comes to a close.

Maybe it’s me,

but just going for the view of the

Walls of the Old City at sunset is wonderful to see.