The story of Russian immigrants who land in the brave new world of Tel Aviv during the time of the Gulf War. As scud missiles fly overhead and an entire country locks itself into airtight rooms, Yana and her friends wrestle with the problems of immigrants everywhere: language, culture, money, jobs and love.
Yana's Friends
A Film by: Arik Kaplun
(Israel, 1999, 90 Minutes, Color, Hebrew, English subtitles, Cast: Nir Levy, Evelyne Kaplun, Evgenya Dodina, Israel Damidov, Mosco Alcalay)
This charming, entertaining film, full of warm humor and sentiment, swept the recent Israeli Awards in almost every category. Three parallel stories of love unfold in Israel during the Gulf War with Iraq, as the people retreat into their homes and shelters to avoid the lethal scud attacks. Yana, a Russian immigrant abandoned by her husband, is pregnant and in debt, but when she moves into a flat with wedding photographer Eli and the two are forced into a sealed room from the fear of chemical weapons, sparks fly. At the same time, formal and businesslike Rosa finds love, while Alik and his wife learn the meaning of loving commitment and transform each other into better people.
FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS
• Karlovy Vary International Film Festival- Best Film Award
• Jerusalem Film Festival - Best Film Award
• Cinema Mediterraneen Montpellier - Audience Award
• MedFilm Festival, Italy
• World Fest Houston Film Festival - Best Foreign Film Award
• Cinemanila International Film Festival
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