Aliyah

Directed by Elie Wajeman
Film Movement
2012
90 Minutes
France
French
Thriller, Jewish, Romance, Drama, Coming of Age
Not Rated
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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.

Cast

  • Pio Marmai
  • Adèle Haenel
  • Cedric Kahn
  • Guillaume Gouix
DVD Features

Bonus short: On the Road to Tel-Aviv, directed by Khen Shalem

Discs: 1

  • Highest Rating
    "Excellent! Atmospheric, tense, smartly crafted - ALIYAH is one of the best films this year!"
    Gary Goldstein, The Los Angeles Times
  • Highest Rating
    "Drama-Cum-Thriller from budding auteur Elie Wajeman!"
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter
  • Highest Rating
    "[ALIYAH] has a crackling psychological intensity."
    Stephen Holden, The New York Times

Awards & Recognition

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