Aliyah

This absorbing drama traces one young man’s emotional and physical exodus to the Promised Land, the Jewish tradition of immigration to Israel known as ALIYAH, Alex is a secular Jew who dreams of getting out of the projects outside Paris. Though he seems to have potential, he’s marking time as a small-time dope dealer. One day Alex hears that his cousin Nathan plans to open a restaurant in Tel Aviv. Alex speaks no Hebrew and has no connection to Israel; still, the prospect of a future as a restaurant partner is enticing. But he’ll need $15,000 to buy into Nathan’s restaurant, so he ratchets up the drug sales to speed his passage to the Holy Land. Meanwhile, he registers for an “aliyah” class with other lapsed Jews rediscovering their faith — only to find the teacher is his scolding ex-girlfriend. When a sultry shiksa falls for him, Alex must reconsider where he and his life are going. Pio Marmaï is outstanding as the brooding Alex. (In French and Hebrew with subtitles) – B.B.