Erez Laufer Films
Rafting to Bombay (2008) 71 minutes; English and Hebrew, with subtitles November 2008 - While filming his father revisiting his childhood city of Mumbai, India, Israeli director Erez Laufer finds himself caught in the worst terror attack in the history of the city. As the drama of the terrorist takeover of Chabad House in Mumbai unfolds, the Laufer family recounts how they found refuge there in the 1940s after fleeing the Nazis. Past and present collide as the family history is echoed in a contemporary war, and a little-known story emerges of the Jewish refugees who found a safe haven in Mumbai during World War II. MORE »

The Darien Dilemma (2006) 90 Minutes; Hebrew, with English subtitles A father and his filmmaker son explore an untold story of 1,000 Jews stranded in the winter of 1941 on the frozen Danube, waiting a life-or-death decision to be taken by their would-be rescuer, senior Mossad agent Ruth, and her agents in a hotel room in Istanbul. Intriguing storytelling interweaving interviews with the survivors, actors and a father who must tell this story! MORE »

Cry of the Owl (2005) 72 minutes; Herero, with English subtitles In a desolate region of Namibia live the Himba, one of the most traditional and primitive tribes of southern Africa, a people whose way of life is under threat from the menace of AIDS and the winds of change. The filmmakers get a rare, intimate look into the day-to-day lives of three generations of strong Himba women, members of a family who open their hearts, and shacks, sharing their desires and fears. MORE »

IDF — The Musical (2004) 240 minutes; Hebrew, with English subtitles This four-part historical documentary series takes a contemporary and critical look at the IDF bands, a phenomenon central to Israeli society‘s sense of cultural memory. Created for the soldiers at the front, with a nod to the citizens on the home-front, the IDF bands were from the very beginning a first-rate entertainment tool. The series tells the personal and collective stories of those who were there, while identifying the ideological role of the bands, and presents a litmus test for understanding social and political developments in Israel. MORE »

Mike Brant — Laisse Moi t‘aimer (2002) 102 minutes; French and Hebrew, with English subtitles On the morning of April 25, 1975, Mike Brant was found lying on a Paris sidewalk, face skywards and barefoot, his shell perfect but crushed inside. The headlines read "Israeli pop-star Mike Brant, died this morning after jumping from the balcony on the 6th floor… he was 28 years-old." He was at the peak of his career, his records sold by the millions all over Europe. What caused him to jump from the 6th floor to his death? The story of Mike‘s growing up and his breakthrough to fame is the background for a story about power, money, and loss of innocence. This film includes original performances, songs and interviews never seen before in France and Israel. MORE »

Threads — by Rina Sheinfeld (2001) 52 minutes; Hebrew, with English subtitles This autobiographic film follows the story of Rina Sheinfeld, "the first lady of Israeli dance," from her origins in classical ballet in the early 1950s in Tel-Aviv, through her studies at Martha Graham‘s school in New York, performances with prominent choreographers from around the world (Martha Graham, Jerome Robins, John Cranko), her experience at Bath - Sheva Dance Company in Israel, and at her own dance theater Telad Productions. MORE »

Total-Loss (2000) 78 minutes; English and Hebrew, with English subtitles Indispensable viewing for every aspiring filmmaker on how to make an independent movie—all the tricks and hashish included. Traveling from Tel-Aviv, to Amsterdam, Himalayas, Delhi, Bombay and Goa, this documentary tells the hilarious story about a unique director, Gur Bentwich, who gathers a group of young, crazy and nihilistic actors to shoot a psychedelic movie on shoe-string budget. MORE »

Why do I need feet when I have wings to fly? (1999) 54 minutes; Hebrew, with English subtitles A journey into the Israeli world of dance which includes works of 22 different troupes. The film progresses through a variety of dance themes, including works of pure aesthetics, creating meaning through movement, to those with political and social commentary. MORE »

Mother Cinderella (1998) 59 minutes; Hebrew, with English subtitles This exciting documentary follows the world renowned Israel Ballet Company as they perform Cinderella and tour Beijing and three other cities in China. As the tour comes to a close, the company’s prima ballerina is faced with a major conflict. She and her husband wish to have a child, a decision that might jeopardize her career. MORE »

Zehava Ben — The Solitary Star (1997) 59 minutes; Hebrew and Arabic, with English subtitles A view of middle east politics, circa 1996, through the life and performances of Zehava Ben. The Moroccan-born Israeli musician captured the hearts of audiences Gaza, Jericho, and elsewhere throughout the Arab world. MORE »

Yehuda Poliker — Face to Face (1996) 66 minutes; Hebrew After four years of silence, Yehuda Poliker and his band are back on the road. Go behind the scenes with one of Israel‘s most important musical artists in this original rockementary which follows Poliker‘s rehearsals and stage performances for six months, including a highlight performance at Caesurae amphitheater. MORE »

Don‘t Cry For Me Edinburgh (1996) 78 minutes; Hebrew, with English subtitles A comic non-fiction film which follows the journey of a Israeli fringe-theater group to the Edinburgh Festival as they perform "Words Of His Own," works by gay Israelis writers. MORE »

Woodstock Diary (1994) 180 minutes; English A three part documentary celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the 1969 concert, featuring un-released performances from the original film. Three hours long, each hour is about one day of the Woodstock festival. MORE »

Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock (1992) 60 minutes; English This is the entire, never-before-released footage of Jimi Hendrix‘s debut performance with the Band of Gypsies at Woodstock. MORE »

The Bohemian (1990) 56 minutes; English This film captures the uneasy process of making contemporary alternative theater in New York city‘s East village, including everything from writing the libretto to the tension and excitement of the opening night‘s performance in a local basement theater. MORE »