Arie Elias Movies

A teenager discovers he may be a genius, which turns out to be a less-than-welcome surprise to his family, in this comedy-drama from Israel. Shlomi (Oshri Cohen) is a 17-year-old boy who has unwittingly become the most important member of his household -- with his mildly-paranoid father (Albert Illouz) divorced from his mother (Esti Zakhem), busy supporting the family as a nurse. Shlomi cheerfully looks after his aging grandfather, cooks the meals, keeps tabs on his brother, Doron (Jonathan Rozen), and tries to keep the house clean. With so much going on, Shlomi doesn't have much time for (or interest in) his schoolwork, and he's more preoccupied with his girlfriend Tehila (Rotem Zisman) and his efforts to move their relationship to the next level; however, Shlomi's math teacher (Nisso Khavia) discovers that Shlomi has a rare gift for working with numbers and is eager to transfer him to another school where he can hone this talent. But Shlomi's family resists the idea, partly because they're not sure if he can do the work and partly because they don't want to see the family's anchor go away. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Offering a richly detailed and carefully researched view of Jerusalem at the turn-of-the century, this romantic drama depicts a time when the city was a haven for both Arabs and Jews and tells the story of a barren wife who makes a great sacrifice by allowing her husband to take a second wife while still married to her. It's not that Rebecca does not love her husband Jacob, a prominent Sephardic rabbi. She would do anything to make him happy. Unfortunately, after 15 happily married years, she has not conceived a child. Though Jacob's love, devotion and support has remained unwavering, Rebecca has been chastised by her neighbors and her mother-in-law into believing that she has failed her husband. To this end, she suggests that Jacob marry a young virgin so that he may continue his family line. Jacob is reluctant, but eventually gives in. At first the odd union works out, but in time, Rebecca finds herself becoming jealous of the new bride and this creates considerable turmoil. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Yaky Yosha's 1982 Israeli drama Kvish Lelo Motza (aka Dead End Street) observes the trials and travails of a young prostitute named Alice (Anat Atzmon) who is thrust into jail alongside her pimp and hustler boyfriend. In desperation, Alice devises a scheme to save both of them: she will take the steps necessary to free herself, then set about raising the money to save her beau. However, she fails to anticipate the arrival of a documentary crew comprised of husband and wife Yoram (Yehoram Gaon) and Miri (Gila Almagor), who insist on filming her as she undergoes rehabilitation; when Yoram begins to fall hard for Alice, it draws the ire and chagrin of Miri, who begins to seethe with jealousy. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

A well-meaning American finds himself in the midst of political turmoil in the wake of the Arab-Israeli Six Day War in this drama. David (Bruce Davison), an American student doing graduate work at Tel Aviv University, becomes reacquainted with Raschid (Zeev Revan), a young Arab who was David's roommate while attending Yale. David and Raschid are studying archeology, and in the interest of friendship, David begins acting as a go-between for Arab and Israeli students, unaware that he's aiding an underground terrorist operation in the process. The supporting cast includes Nicol Williamson as Dr. Lang, one of David's professors, and Daria Halprin as Nurit, one of Lang's students (and also his lover). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

David Shaul Shalhin is a lonely 12-year-old boy whose drunken father Arie Elias fails to see him heading down the path of juvenile delinquency in this teen drama. David's only friends are a disabled girl from his class and his faithful dog. He is pressured by teens who want him to be a lookout while they "raid" a local drugstore. David is forced to run away and hide before his father gets concerned enough to comfort his troubled son and turn both of their lives around. The feature received a favorable reaction at the 1966 Venice Children's Film Festival. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide