Israeli films focus on inner conflicts

The 20th edition of the Israel Film Festival rolls into town this week amid something of a flush time for Israeli cinema. Films such as “James’ Journey to Jerusalem” and “Broken Wings” -- whose director Nir Bergman is represented at the festival by two episodes of the television series “Jerusalem Brew” -- have recently had U.S. theatrical releases.

Several other Israeli films have been acquired for distribution, including “Nina’s Tragedies,” a melancholy comedy that opens the festival Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In January, it became the first Israeli film to play at the Sundance Film Festival, and it will be released in the U.S. by Wellspring in 2005. Director Savi Gabizon is featured in the festival’s retrospective section with his 1995 film, “Lovesick on Nana Street.”

Another upcoming film with U.S. distribution is Shemi Zarhin’s “Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi,” the festival’s centerpiece screening Sunday, to be released in July by Strand.

This year’s festival, which travels to New York, Chicago and Miami following L.A., has been programmed to focus on themes other than the Arab-Israeli conflict -- the day-to-day life of contemporary Israeli people, coming-of-age stories and romantic comedies, for example.

The festival will also pay tribute to producer Gale Anne Hurd and directors Norman Jewison and Arthur Hiller.

Screenings run Saturday to May 13 at Laemmle’s Fairfax and May 8-13 at Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino. Information: (877) 966-5566 or www.israelfilmfestival.com