Film Summary
One of the most critically acclaimed films to emerge from the resurgent Israeli film industry, JAMES' JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM screened to standing ovations at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival and was shown at the last Toronto Film Festival. A cannily droll mix of social commentary and modern fable, Israeli filmmaker Ra'anan Alexandrowicz’s (THE INNER TOUR) debut feature follows the adventures of young James, a devout wide-eyed Christian attempting a pilgrimage from his African village to the Holy Land. Jailed by the immigration authorities upon his arrival in Tel Aviv, this contemporary Candide is miraculously bailed out by a shady small-time businessman only to become part of his migrant labor pool. Undeterred, James perseveres in his religious quest -- until he gets a taste of fortune by exploiting his employer's friends and colleagues for his own profit. Alexandrowicz filters an astute exploration of the economic, moral and spiritual hypocrisies of Western society through an evocative portrait of modern Israel's cultural and generational divisions. Topped with a moving and charismatic performance by South African actor Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe (winner of the Best Actor Award at the 2003 Jerusalem Film Festival), JAMES' JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM stealthily layers these serious issues with biting wit and a lilting fairy-tale charm. "This wise, clever Israeli film reintroduces the once-popular concept of film as allegory, as it follows a Christian pilgrim on his bumpy road to salvation." ~ John Petrakis, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

"Funny, knowing and immensely enjoyable." ~ V.A. Musetto, NEW YORK POST

"A deceptively modest fable of innocence abroad that resonates with the situation within Israel and without." ~ J. Hoberman, VILLAGE VOICE

"Much of the charm of James is attributable to Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, the absorbing South African actor who portrays the enchantingly guileless religious pilgrim of the title." ~ John Anderson, NEWSDAY