22nd Washington Jewish Film Festival
November 2011

THE POWER AND PASSION OF SPORTS
Program
What will individuals do for the sake of sport? What bridges of understanding can sports build between people across political and cultural differences? Two films explore the power and passion of sport in the lives of individuals and nations.

MY CHAMPION
Aluf Ha'Olam Sheli
Israel, 2010, documentary                       
50 minutes
English and Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Ari Davidovich         
East Coast Premiere

Merhav Mohar wants to make it big. With a one-way plane ticket, he heads to the US to realize his dream of becoming the world boxing champion. The film follows this golden boy of Israeli boxing for five years, from his first lonely, confused steps in New York to workouts with legendary trainer Hector Rocca, to his accomplishments in boxing matches all over the US and, finally the world championship match in Atlanta. All the while, his mother is torn between wanting to be supportive of her beloved son’s dream and her unending worry about the dangerous business he has chosen. In the end, Mohar fights as much for his identity as he does his dream.

AND

TACKLING PEACE
Australia, 2009, documentary
55 minutes
Hebrew, Arabic and English with English subtitles
Director: Marc Radomsky

US Premiere

Provincia Di Milano Award for Outstanding Film, International Festival in Milan 2010
It began as a crazy dream of Tanya Oziel, an Australian mum passionate for Australian football and Middle East peace.  This dynamic woman inspires a rag tag group of Israeli and Palestinian men, who have never even heard of the game, to compete on the same team for the “footy” world cup. Narrated by Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, Captain America), this intimate, behind-the-scenes story follows the young men as they try to set aside a lifetime of prejudice and hatred in their remarkable quest to show the world a picture of cooperation across the divide of politics and war.

POST-FILM DISCUSSION WITH Tanya Oziel (invited)

CO-SPONSORED BY the Embassy of Israel and Embassy of Australia