Ajami

Ajami, co-directed by Palestinian Arab Scandar Copti and Jewish Israeli Yaron Shani in what was a feature debut for both, is set in Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood, weaving together the stories of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families, cast with real residents of the neighborhood and shot through an improvisational method where the actors didn't know in advance what would happen in each scene. The film had its world premiere in the Directors' Fortnight section at Cannes on May 22, 2009, winning a Special Mention for the Caméra d'Or. It won five awards at the Israeli Film Academy's Ophir Awards, including Best Film, which automatically makes a film Israel's Oscar submission. The film was one of five nominees for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010, but the award went to Argentina's El secreto de sus ojos. Who it's for: anyone curious about an Israeli drama co-directed by a Palestinian and an Israeli filmmaker, cast with non-professional actors through an improvisational method, which won at Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar. Who it's not for: viewers wanting professional acting and a polished production, since the film is shot with a raw, documentary-like realism.