Acclaimed American-Jewish actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is set to be the guest of honor at the upcoming 41st Jerusalem Film Festival. She will be presented with an award during the festival’s opening ceremony at the Sultan’s Pool Amphitheater on July 18.
The festival, scheduled to showcase hundreds of new films from around the globe and Israel, will take place at the Jerusalem Cinematheque until July 27.
In light of current events, the festival organizers have allocated 1,000 tickets to the opening night for individuals affected by recent conflicts, including evacuees from the South and the North, soldiers and their families, and families affected by tragic incidents.
Leigh, known for her Oscar-nominated role in Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight,” has garnered multiple accolades throughout her career, including the New York Film Critics Circle Best Actress Award for “Georgia.” Her work primarily revolves around independent cinema, with notable performances in films such as Robert Altman’s “Short Cuts,” Noah Baumbach’s “Margot at the Wedding,” and Uli Edel’s “Last Exit to Brooklyn.”
Her career breakthrough came in 1982 with Amy Heckerling’s “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” followed by memorable roles in Barbet Schroeder’s “Single White Female” (1992) and the adaptation of Stephen King’s “Dolores Claiborne” (1995). More recently, she has starred in the television series “Fargo” and “Weeds,” alongside an extensive stage career.
The festival’s opening night will feature “Thelma,” directed by Josh Margolin, a comedy starring the beloved June Squibb. Squibb portrays an elderly woman seeking revenge after falling victim to a scam involving her grandson. The film marks the final performance of Richard Roundtree, renowned for his role in “Shaft,” who passed away last October. “Thelma,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has received acclaim in the United States, will hit Israeli theaters later this summer.
The Jerusalem Film Festival, founded by Israel Prize laureate Lia van Leer, is currently under the guidance of Jerusalem Cinematheque CEO Roni Mahadav-Levin, artistic director Orr Sigoli, and outgoing artistic director Elad Samorzik. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Jerusalem Foundation, and the Van Leer Foundation, the festival will feature a diverse program including international cinema highlights and competitions for Israeli feature films and documentaries.
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