PAST LIFE
May 24, 2017, 7:00 P.M.
The Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108, George Lucas Building, USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex, 900 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Outside the Box [Office], the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, and Samuel Goldwyn Films, invite you and a guest to a special preview screening of
Past Life
Written & Directed by Avi Nesher
Produced by David M. Milch, David Silber, Moshe Edery,
Leon Edery, Ruth Cats, and Avi Nesher
7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
The Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
900 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED.
Official Selection: Toronto International Film Festival 2016
Opens in Los Angeles on Friday, June 2nd, 2017
About Past Life
Inspired by true events, Past Life tracks the daring 1977 trans-European odyssey of two sisters – one an introverted ambitious classical music composer, and the other a combative liberal magazine editor. As they try to unravel a disturbing wartime mystery that has cast a foreboding shadow on their entire lives, they realize that freedom from the shackles of the past requires painful sacrifices, as does the struggle to discover one’s unique voice.
Provided courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films. Rated R. Running time: 109 minutes. In Hebrew, with English subtitles.
Visit the Official Website: http://www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/past-life/
Director's Statement
My parents survived the Holocaust – that is a fact. But how they managed to come out of the inferno that has claimed the lives of 6 million Jews – I will never know for sure. There is the official version, but there are also rumors. Some rumors are more troubling than others – I have never dared ask my parents about this particular part of their history and my very reluctance to do so has always troubled me.
I am very much aware that growing up in an atmosphere of secrecy, anger and guilt affected my life. Now, disturbingly enough, I see it beginning to affect my children's life, too.
World War II ended in 1945 and it took the world seven decades but finally everyone seems to have moved on –everyone, that is, except for the sons and daughters of those Holocaust survivors, the very people who constitute the vast majority of the population of my homeland.
To be clear, the sheer horror, ferocity and unequaled scale of the Holocaust have created a trauma that has become part of our personal and national DNA. Slippery politicians know only too well how to press the Holocaust button and activate reactions that would do Pavlov proud. Though there are not many Holocaust survivors left, the trauma has been passed on to us and it is still very much a part of our present and even more so, a part of our collective subconscious. It is a deeply rooted trauma that is very difficult to overcome, but overcome it we must if our children are to have a future.
My diehard attempts at dealing with this trauma are through my art – ultimately that is what the heroine of Past Life tries to do. John Cassavetes once said that a film offers a unique opportunity to challenge someone's point of view in a mere two hours. When I wrote Past Life I was trying to reach out, let people know that la guerre n'est pas “finie”, but I also found this to be a great opportunity to exorcise my own inner demons.
Making Past Life made it possible for me to ask questions I never dared ask my parents. I can only hope the film will rise to Cassavetes' dare and challenge the way our parents' past lives shape our present.
-- Avi Nesher
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
To SUBSCRIBE to our MAILING LIST for upcoming free screenings and events, e-mail the word "Subscribe" to: aago@cinema.usc.edu
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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.
Follow the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelinLA/
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.
Contact Information
Name: Alessandro Ago
Email: aago@cinema.usc.edu