The 17th Annual New York Jewish Film Festival (NYJFF), 2008 NY Premiere film BEAUFORT, directed by Joseph Cedar was held at the Walter Reade Theater, Saturday, January 12, 6:00 PM. A special Q&A immediately followed with Director Joseph Cedar, moderated by Associate Curator/NYJFF Director Aviva Weintraub, The Jewish Museum.

Oscar Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, The 80th Annual Academy Awards, Winner of Silver Bear Award for Best Director, 2007 Berlin Film Festival, BEAUFORT, is a powerful suspenseful, and historical film based on Ron Leshem novel. The film captures the final stages of Israeli military occupation of the twelfth century crusader mountain top Beaufort Castle (beautiful fortress/castle of the high rock), in Southern Lebanon. It portrays the humanity of soldiers, the sanctity of life, and the futility of war. In May 24, 2000, Israel Defense Forces evacuated from Beaufort.

BEAUFORT, directed by Joseph Cedar | Israel | 2007 | 132 min. | Hebrew with English subtitles | released by Kino International, opened at The Quad Cinemas, New York, January 18, is Best Foreign Language Film Oscar Nominee for The 80th Annual Academy Awards, televised live on ABC, Sunday, February 24, 2008, 8:00 PM (ET).

Maria Estevez