The Dokaviv Documentary Film Festival will open for the 24th time this coming Thursday at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque, with the screening of the film "Eichmann - The Lost Recordings".
The film, directed by a strange rival, features recordings by Adolf Eichmann that shed new light on his work during World War II, and contradict the testimony he gave at his trial.
This year, 13 films will participate in the Israeli competition, featuring new works by leading docu-directors such as David Ofek, Ran Tal and Eliav Lilti.
A total of 120 documentaries from Israel and around the world will be screened as part of the festival, competing for prizes worth a total of NIS 400,000.
Apart from all the usual categories, the festival will for the first time this year include a category for short docu-films of up to three minutes in length, which will be launched in collaboration with the popular Tiktok app.
The festival will run until June 5, and his films will be presented in a combined format: at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque, around the city and online at the festival's website.
Here are some movies from the rich and impressive international program that are worth noting.
"Queen of Velvet"
Director of "The Velvet Queen", Photo: No Credit
An extraordinary nature film in its power and pristine beauty, in which the renowned nature photographer Vincent Monia and his philosopher friend, the writer Sylvian Tasson, embark on a journey to the snow-capped peaks of Tibet in search of the snow leopard - a large and majestic cat hiding among the cliffs.
As the two wait patiently for the arrival of the mythological tiger, an amazing world is revealed around them that is made up entirely of rare animals and spectacular views begging to be watched on the big screen.
As a bonus, the journey is accompanied by a meditative and magical soundtrack signed by Warren Ellis and Nick Cave.
Beautiful to tears.
Marie Amigate directed.
"Meet Me in the Bathroom"
"Meet Me In The Bathroom", Photo: No Credit
The alternative rock scene that flourished in New York in the early 2000s is at the center of the entertaining and fluid film of Will Love Lace and Dylan Stern (based on the bestseller by Lizzie Goodman).
The filmmakers focus on the bands that led the revolution: the Strokes, Interpol, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the LCD Soundsystem.
They trace their rapid breakthroughs into the cultural mainstream, drawing obvious lines between the vibrant musical carnival that took place in the city in those years and the events of September 11 and the Brooklyn gentrification process, which both changed New York beyond recognition.
A rhythmic and fun movie, and if you like these bands - then at all.
"Kurt Wengot: Free from Time"
"Kurt Wengot: Free from Time",
An unconventional documentary portrait of legendary American author Kurt Wengot, who is responsible for temporary classics such as "Slaughterhouse 5", "Cat Crib", "Welcome to the Monkey House", "Mother Night" and more.
The tumultuous and traumatic life story of Wengot (who died in 2007 at the age of 84) is presented in parallel with the story of the film's director, Rob Rat Wadey ("Calm Down"), who began working on the film in the early 1980s when he was 23. As a result, the final result includes Enormous number of interviews from different periods and enjoys a special closeness to Wengot, who over the years becomes Wadey's best friend.
Not the most focused film, and certainly could have been shortened a bit, but those who love Wengot's writing are likely to enjoy every moment in his company.
"Nabalani"
Although everyone knows how the story ended, this year's big winner at the Sundance Film Festival is a fascinating and breathtaking thriller that accompanies Russian regime opponent Alexei Navalny as he tries to prove that Vladimir Putin is the one responsible for the poisoning that nearly cost him his life.
Although the outbreak of the war in Ukraine makes "Navalny" a little less up-to-date than it was a few months ago, Daniel Rohr's film rushes forward like a film in the "Jason Bourne" series, and the charismatic, eloquent and tireless Navalny - soon turns out to be the perfect protagonist.
Let's just hope there's a reason to make a sequel.
"Tiktok, boom"
"Tiktok Boom", Photo: No Credit
A quick and informative review of the Chinese app that has swept the young people of the world in recent years.
Director Shalini Kentaya ("Biased Code") meets with young Americans who have turned tic-tac-toe into a thriving career, talks to senior tech journalists who tell her about the dangers of the all-knowing algorithm, and maps the fiery geopolitical struggle that plagues the old giant companies Twitter and Instagram) for the first time in their history in an inferior position.
Not a sophisticated or daring movie by any means, but if you've been wondering what your kids (or grandchildren) have been up to lately - there is definitely a situation where you will find the answers here.
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