Israeli Shorts from Ma'aleh Film School:
Art, Culture & Faith

About the Films

Biography

Directed by Arik Kaufman. Running time: 21 minutes.

A war widow writing her husband's biography suspects one of her neighbors of foul play. Miriam, an elderly war widow tormented by her young husband's death, surrounds herself with archival recordings and writes his biography in her crumbling apartment. Though she wishes only to be left alone to complete her task, her aggressive neighbors, hungry to evict her, have other ideas.

A Story About Rain

Directed by Bracha Yaniger. Running time: 18 minutes.

In a world without rain, a couple discovers that they have the power to create water. But at what cost?

The Little Dictator

Directed by Nurith Cohn. Running time: 28 minutes.

Yossi Kleinmann, a dull history professor and expert on the political leaders of totalitarian regimes, feels unappreciated both by his students and his domineering wife. One weekend, at the 90th birthday party of his wife’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, Yossi finds himself in a surreal situation that forces him to face up to himself and his family.

The Rabbi’s Daughter

Directed by Racheli Vasserman. Running time: 32 minutes.

A film by a Rabbi’s daughter, this documentary follows three young women as they navigate the path between their old life and a new one, offering an intimate reflection on the relationship between daughters and their fathers.

About the Guests

NETA ARIEL, Director of the Ma'aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts

Mrs. Ariel graduated in political science and theater studies at Hebrew University, Jerusalem. She also studied communications at Hebrew University and Directing and Producing through the Open University program. Mrs. Ariel completed a leadership course at the Shalom Hartman Institute Leadership Center, in Jerusalem, and a coaching course at the B.S.D institute.

Mrs. Ariel leads groups of the Michael Project – Fulfilling Individual Potential. She founded, edited and wrote for the Gushpanka regional journal of Gush Etzion, and wrote and published a children's book, The Gift Child, by Yediot Ahronot Publishing House.

Mrs. Ariel started working in Ma'aleh as assistant director and academic director in 1995 and has been serving as Ma'aleh's school director since 2001. Named Woman of the Year for 2015 by Emunah, Mrs. Ariel is mother to 5 children and many wonderful grandchildren.

JOSHUA ZEPEDA, Moderator, Roski School of Art and Design

Born and raised in the dusty, scorching heat of central California’s San Joaquin Valley, Joshua discovered a love for photography at the tender age of 8. An accomplished painter, award winning writer and filmmaker, Joshua spends his time between LA and NYC. A strong advocate of humanitarian projects, Joshua’s work as a documentary filmmaker has led him from South America and the West Indies, to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. When not abroad, Joshua provides photography and filmmaking services to public and private clients. He also has a ceramics practice and has recently shown work in the Lindhurst Gallery. At USC, he is the Administrative Assistant to Professor Ruth Weisberg at the Roski School of Art and Design.

About the USC Initiative for Israeli Arts and Humanities

The USC Initiative for Israeli Arts and Humanities focuses on Israeli cultural history, and the variety and richness of their accomplishments. Through innovative and stimulating programs and international exchanges of artists and scholars, the Initiative brings the spirit of creative inquiry and collaboration to bear on the fruits of Israel’s vibrant artistic community. The Initiative fosters collaborations between USC and partner institutions in Israel and Southern California in order to explore the diverse aspirations reflected in Israeli scholarship, literature, visual arts, film, music, theater, dance and architecture.

Visit the USC Initiative for Israeli Arts and Humanities' website: http://www.uscisraelinitiative.com/

About the Ma'aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts

The Ma'aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts, is situated in the heart of Jerusalem. It is the only film school in the world devoted to exploring the intersection of Judaism and modern life. Ma'aleh films are screened and win awards at film festivals world-wide.

Ma'aleh's unique, cutting-edge films build bridges across all sectors of the Jewish world, fostering deeper understanding and dialogue between religious and secular Jews. Many Jewish organizations and educational institutions across the globe have discovered Ma'aleh as a priceless teaching resource. Thousands of Birthright students, Federation mission participants, and community members from North America, Europe and Asia come to Ma'aleh each year to take part in specially designed programs. In the classroom and in the community, the films are a catalyst for discussing deep issues of Jewish and Israeli identity. And they have become a powerful way to inspire young Jews disconnected from their heritage.

Ma'aleh graduates are shaping the future of the Israeli film and television industry, and beyond.  Today, more than 100 talented young people are studying at Ma'aleh at any one time. Some are engaged in a rigorous, four-year curriculum in directing and producing. Other students study in our two-year screenwriting program. Maaleh graduates are leading the way in the Israeli film and television industry. They are producing films and teaching film, a high school major in Israel, in locations throughout the country. Ma'aleh graduates have also created some of Israel’s most popular television programs i.e. Srugim. Ma'aleh also uses film to enrich the lives of some of Israel’s most marginalized populations, creating a first-of-its-kind VideoTherapy Program for at-risk youth, Ethiopian immigrants, terror victims and adults with special needs.

Visit the Ma'aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts website: http://www.maale.co.il/en

About Outside the Box [Office]

Outside the Box [Office] is a weekly showcase for upcoming releases highlighting world cinema, documentary and independent film titles. Recognizing a need for greater diversity on campus, the series will draw from around the globe to present movies that may challenge, inspire or simply entertain.

To view the calendar of screenings, click here.

About the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles is one of Israel’s largest diplomatic missions in the world. It covers the entire Southwest region of the United States including Arizona, Southern California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.

The Consulate is an official office of the Government of Israel. Our many departments work hand in hand striving to provide the best of Israel and strengthen the already deep bonds between Israel and the Southwest region.

Visit the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles' website: http://embassies.gov.il/la/Pages/default.aspx

Check-In & Reservations

This screening is free of charge and open to the public. Please bring a valid USC ID or print out of your reservation confirmation, which will automatically be sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M.

All SCA screenings are OVERBOOKED to ensure seating capacity in the theater, therefore seating is not guaranteed based on RSVPs. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater is full. Once the theater has reached capacity, we will no longer be able to admit guests, regardless of RSVP status.

Parking

The USC School of Cinematic Arts is located at 900 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90007. Parking passes may be purchased for $12.00 at USC Entrance Gate #5, located at the intersection of W. Jefferson Blvd. & McClintock Ave. We recommend Parking Structure D, at the far end of 34th Street. Metered street parking is also available along Jefferson Blvd.