Shraga Harpaz Movies

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

In an embattled Israel, director and co-author Yaki Yosha (with Yoram Kaniuk), has come up with a successful pacifist film that is not political -- a most unusual accomplishment. The story is based on Kaniuk's book "The Last Jew," and its subject matter would apply to any war-ravaged area of the world, at any time in history. The ex-soldier Boaz (Shraga Harpaz) has just returned from battle, struggling with the guilt of a survivor remembering those who died -- morose and taciturn, he finds it difficult to adjust. One day he runs into an ex-teacher, the father of one of his buddies killed in the war, and the teacher supplicates him to do an "album" of his memories of the dead son. Boaz reluctantly complies, mainly out of consideration for the father's own emotional needs. He is rewarded by the grateful father, and when this simple act gets around, he finds himself doing more albums for people and miserably making money on the activity -- like a vulture feeding off the dead. The people he meets are real, grieving for their losses, and so Boaz finds himself put in an untenable position: he cannot say no, but saying yes has made life that much harder for him. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Based on an autobiographical novel by Amos Kolek, the son of one of Jerusalem's more famous mayors (Teddy Kolek), this movie tells the story of an Israeli novelist with no visible means of support, who occupies the time he doesn't spend with his girlfriend, an American archaeologist, or with his best friend, a soldier, by writing a novel which he imagines no one will ever read. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide