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ALIYAH

Directed by Elie Wajeman
  • YEAR 11 - FILM 3 / 
  • France / 
  • 2012 / 
  • French with English subtitles / 
  • 90 min
ALIYAH DVD & Online Streaming
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Tuesday, August 20, 2013
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"A subtly effective drama-cum-thriller from budding auteur Elie Wajeman!"
– Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter
"Beautifully conceived and executed!"
– Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily
"Cleverly cinematic! [An] intimate and dexterous debut feature."
– Boyd Van Hoeij, Variety

Synopsis

Alex, 27, lives in a working-class Paris neighborhood and sells drugs for a living, continuously paying off the debts of his brother Isaac (played by French auteur Cedric Kahn), who's becoming a real burden. When his cousin, who has just returned from completing his military service in Israel, tells him he's opening a restaurant in Tel Aviv, Alex thinks that joining him might be the life-changing opportunity he was waiting for. But in order to leave, Alex must quickly find enough money and accomplish his "aliyah" (the term for Jews emigrating to Israel) which involves, among other things, Hebrew lessons and connecting with his Jewish roots. He also has to leave behind his beloved city of Paris, his former lover Esther, his lifelong friend Mathias, and Jeanne, a woman whom he's just met but has the potential of becoming someone important in his life. Torn between making his aliyah, his drug selling, his complicated love life and a destructive brother, Alex will have to find his own way and make a final decision.

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Customer Reviews


Jeff in Seattle - Customer Review
Aliyah had no effect on me. I didn't care for the characters either. A young man decided to quit drug dealing and help start a restaurant in Isreal despite his ties to France, such as family, money needs, and a potential love interest.

Photos

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Alex (Pio Marmai) & Jeanne (Adèle Haenel)
Alex (Pio Marmai) & Issac (Cédric Kahn)
Alex (Pio Marmai)
Alex (Pio Marmai) & Jeanne (Adèle Haenel)
Alex (Pio Marmai)
Director Elie Wajeman

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