Movie

Once Upon a Mattress proves fairy tales are funnier when turned upside down

Fairy-tale expectations are flipped in this witty, high-energy staging of Once Upon a Mattress.

|ByYAEL UNTERMAN
Lady Larken and Sir Harry.
PHOTO OF Wagner Moura at a phone booth.

The Secret Agent, a gripping and gory film from Brazil, premieres in Israel

An opening title says that the film takes place in Brazil in 1977, during “a time of great mischief,” which turns out to be a playful understatement.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji, believed to be killed during a protest in Tehran, in an undated picture.

Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji killed in Tehran protests, anti-regime data shows

Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji, 39, was shot during protests in Tehran's Sadeghiyeh area, according to Hengaw and the National Council of Resistance of Iran's data.

|ByJAMES GENN
DIANE KEATON as Annie Paradis in the iconic ‘First Wives Club.’

Jerusalem Cinematheque pays tribute to Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton, one of the most distinctive and endearing American actresses of all time, will be honored in showings of her most beloved films at the Jerusalem Cinematheque.

|ByHANNAH BROWN

Tom Nesher’s Ophir Award-winning and Israeli Oscars selection, 'Come Closer,' to open in US

It also won Ophir Awards for Best Director, Best Actress (Lia Elalouf), and Best Editing (Shauly Melamed). Nesher was named one of Variety’s Directors to Watch in 2025.

DECEMBER 2, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Lia Elalouf in Tom Nesher's Come Closer.

Shira Haas to star in Netflix remake of ‘The Boys from Brazil’

Filming will begin in December in the UK, Germany, Bulgaria, and Spain.

DECEMBER 1, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
Shira Haas in the Netflix series, 'Bodies.'

New French film reimagines the Jewish mother archetype through a Moroccan Mizrahi lens - review

The movie is fast-paced, with a kind of sitcom quality. While Once Upon My Mother has its share of clichés in its script and plot, the acting and the basic premise keep it entertaining throughout.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
From the movie, 'Once Upon My Mother'

Jerusalem highlights: November 28-December 4

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

NOVEMBER 28, 2025ByHAGAY HACOHEN
Quesadillas (Illustrative).

Jerusalem highlights: November 21-27

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

NOVEMBER 21, 2025ByHAGAY HACOHEN
Art by Mordechai Avniel

TV Time: 'Freakier Friday' is funny, 'Nutuk' is dramatic and 'Pluribus' is not worth watching

Channel 12 drama series, 'Nutuk', continues to keep tension high while Apple TV's 'Pluribus' falls flat despite rapturous reviews.

NOVEMBER 14, 2025ByHANNAH BROWN
JAMIE LEE CURTIS, left, and Lindsay Lohan in ‘Freakier Friday.’

Jerusalem highlights: November 14-20

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

NOVEMBER 14, 2025ByHAGAY HACOHEN
Micha Ullman’s ‘Water’ at Zion Square

Pope Leo names Italian Holocaust film ‘Life Is Beautiful’ as one of his 4 favorites of all time

Pope Leo did not elaborate on his reasons for the selections in the truncated video posted by Variety announcing a convening of filmmakers at the Vatican that will begin Saturday. 

NOVEMBER 12, 2025ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA
Pope Leo XIV (left) picked Roberto Benigni's Holocaust film "Life is Beautiful" as one of his all-time favorites.

Stellan Skarsgård bounces back from stroke for heartfelt performance in ‘Sentimental Value’

The Swedish actor was then in the middle of the most visible run of his half-century in film and TV when the medical crisis occured.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025ByJOSH ROTTENBERG/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
STELLAN SKARSGÅRD, star of ‘Sentimental Value,’ poses during the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Jerusalem highlights: October 31-November 6

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

OCTOBER 31, 2025ByHAGAY HACOHEN
Adraba Bookstore