"Fauda" on Netflix shows complexities of Israel's wrestling with jihadist aggression

Israeli TV panelists: Tsakhi Halevi (Fauda), Udi Segal (Mossad 101)
Michael Gordon (C.A.A.) and Danna Stern (YES TV Israel)

YES-TV's Fauda and Reshet 13's action drama television series Mossad 101 had their second season premieres at this year’s 31st Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles on November 15th and 16th. Each screening was followed by a panel discussion which featured creators, actors, and distributors of Israeli shows discussing the effects of these programs going international. 

In “Mossad 101” (“Hamidrasha” Hebrew for “The Academy”) cadets from every level of Israeli society undergo intense training to join their country’s elite, classified intelligence service, the Mossad.

Fauda, which means “chaos” in Arabic, follows a close-knit unit of Mista’arvim, the commando unit of the Israel army whose soldiers are trained in the language, dress and mannerisms of Palestinians, and whose undercover work is hailed in Israel for scuppering terror attacks and guiding military operations. The show won six Ophir Awards, including Best Drama Series, at the Israeli Academy Awards. 

CNN: Netflix says it has found the next "Homeland"


Two-years ago, Israel Film Festival organizer Meir Fenigstein introduced "Fauda" to American audiences- which led to C.A.A.'s TV agent, Adam Berkowitz, selling the subtitled action/suspense series' rights to Netflix.   This year, the Fest debuted the 2nd season opener to Israeli series "Mossad 101," which of C.A.A. TV intends to sell the format rights to internationally. 



Video playlist includes interviews with Fauda actors Lior Raz and Tsakhi Halevi- and classic Israeli-American actor/director Mike Burstyn. The Fauda actors are joined for a post-screening panel discussion moderated by Itay Hod, entertainment editor of Hollywood's The Wrap news-site, leading a discussion with Fauda co-founding producer Avi Issacaroff, actresses Laetitia Eido (Dr. Shirin), Rona-Lee Shimon (Nurit), composer Gilad ben Amram, director Rotem Shamir. The panel was introduced by Sam Grundwerg, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles.

Iconic Israeli actor, Mike Burstyn, says that the Israeli TV and film productions are as good as any international productions- and for a fraction of the Hollywood budget. Productions like these, he says, have made greater international recognition of Israel's predicament in the past 5-years than in the previous 50-years. 

Western Civ in the Middle East- from Israel's history to Mossad thriller series on display at Jewish Film Festival in L.A.

L.A.J.F.F. premiered Israeli espionage series, "K'fulim" ("False Flag")
featuring stars Angel Bonanni, Ania Bukstein, and co-creator Amit Cohen

The L.A. Jewish Film Festival runs for the week between Wednesday May 18th and May 25th on this schedule. Exec. Director Hilary Helstein discusses some of this year's offerings, from their red-carpet event in Beverly Hills.



On the 50th anniversary of  Israeli musical Kuni Lemel," original host of "Let's Make a Deal,"Monty Hall presents Kuni Lemel actor, Mike Burstyn, a lifetime achievement award on behalf of the Festival. Mr. Burstyn answers audience questions about the film and his career.



Actor, Eric Edelstein, discusses the Jewish-American comedy he stars in, "The Pickle Recipe," and lays-out L.A. Jewish delis he frequents- for visitors to note.

Summer Arts Preview - Icons: Meyer Lansky and Daniel Pearl

Mike Burstyn IS Meyer Lansky - The multi-faceted Jewish performer portrays the enigmatic, American mobster icon as he endeavors to obtain refuge from federal prosecution under Israel's 'Law of Return'.

Burstyn's, 90 min, one-man show, "Lansky," premiered in L.A. and has already been reviewed by 2 Israeli newspapers, The Jerusalem Post, and YNet News.


"Who Killed Daniel Pearl" written by Bernard-Henri Levy

This well-researched investigation exposes the roles of Pakistan's ISI (the secret service), regional Islamist groups, al-Qaida, and ultimate Pearl defendant, British educated, Omar Sheikh - whom Levy alleges was an operative of both the ISI and al-Qaida and then takes the fall for both at the trial. A stark contrast to the Jolie flick of Mariane Pearl's tale.

In "An Unmighty Film," Debbie Schlussel deconstructs Brangelina's interpretation of Daniel Pearl's widow, Mariane's film, "A Mighty Heart," from a social and political perspective. Also, Youssef Ibrahim in the NY Sun writes: "A Mighty Heart Gives a Free Pass to Terror" http://www.nysun.com/pf.php?id=57207&v=6492603811

"My Israel" Video

From UJC General Assembly, featuring Mike Burstyn, Aaron and Esther Friedman. (Courtesy The Blink Company)