(haipo) – A significant achievement for Israeli cinema and the University of Haifa: The feature film “Independence,” directed by Moshe Rosenthal (“Karaoke”), has been accepted to the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and will premiere there. Keren Tzur, a lecturer in the Department of Theater and Performance Studies at the University of Haifa and an esteemed actress, is participating in the film, the first in a decade to be selected to represent Israel at the international festival.
A rare achievement for Israeli cinema
The Sundance Film Festival, considered one of the most important and influential film festivals in the world, has selected “Independence” to participate in the official competition, an extraordinary choice for Israeli cinema, especially given the complex reality on the international stage. This is the first Israeli feature film in ten years to be accepted into the festival.
Tzur Foundation: A combination of academia and creativity
Keren Tzur is a lecturer in the Department of Theater and Performance Studies at the University of Haifa, alongside extensive activity as an actress in Israeli theater and cinema. Her participation in the film strengthens the connection between academic and artistic endeavors, and places the University of Haifa on the international film map.
“Great excitement in a challenging time”
Referring to the choice in the film, Tzur said: “It is a great excitement that in a time like this, when it feels as if the whole world is against us, an Israeli film is entering one of the most important festivals in the world.”
A leading cast and a moving coming-of-age story
Alongside Tzur, the film stars prominent actors including Assi Cohen, Ido Taco, Yair Mazor, Mor Damari and Neta Orbach. The film's plot takes place in 1987 and follows Boaz, a 12-year-old boy, who discovers a secret that shakes his life and the lives of his family. A decade later, the adult Boaz embarks on a journey to confront his past and the guilt that accompanies it.
International premiere on a world stage
The premiere of “Independence” at the Sundance Festival marks a peak moment for its creators and actors, and constitutes a significant achievement for Israeli cinema in the international arena, a testament to the power of local creation to tell a universal story even in complex times.
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