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Reviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
JAMES' JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
What follows is a somewhat predictable tale of a hopeful bumpkin
corrupted by a capitalist society. But unlike other takes on illegal aliens, such as last year's grim
Bolivia or Lilya 4-Ever, James' Journey to Jerusalem is lucidly told, with
not only more complex characters, but also a refreshing sense of humor. It's hard to tell whether
the lust in Israeli women's eyes is because of James' charm or that he can offer his housecleaning
services at a bargain rate. And the endearing friendship between James and the frail Salah (Elias),
Shimi's stubborn father whose garden James tends, is not without thorns. Knowing full well his
power over the African immigrant, Salah doesn't think twice about lording over him, deliberately
knocking over the backgammon set for James to pick up and calling James "blackie." Indeed,
director Alexandrowicz has painted a satiric picture of an insatiably greedy Israeli society. It's not
the land of milk and honey here, but graft and bribery. After James has become his own
entrepreneur, dressed in new threads, even his paternal minister hits him up for money, confiding
to James that "sometimes when you think about money, you think about the Lord." It is almost a
relief that James is flesh and blood after all when he gets a cell phone and begins barking orders
to other immigrant workers. However, not all of the cast match Shibe's subtlety and
assuredness, and it does seem implausible that James' boss, Shimi, wouldn't notice James'
newfound wealth. Regardless, this is a beguiling film, greatly aided by an exuberant soundtrack.
Shibe has invested so much importance in his character's pilgrimage, it's almost as if his life
depended on it. You can't help but be invested in his journey. Kent Turner
DVD Extras: There is not much in the way of extras – a shame for such a
remarkably moving, genuinely witty film. The “director’s statement” consists of a brief
note by Alexandrowicz found in the included booklet. Though it sheds light
on how the director was inspired by a real-life story to make his first feature, it does not
provide much background on how Shibe, the hero of the film blessed with movie-star
good looks, was cast. In addition, Alexandrowicz does not mention to what extent the
film was driven by the issue of race. Finally, the film’s plot has
the feel of melodrama, owing much to Dickens’ Oliver Twist, for example. It is not possible to
tell from his comments whether the director is conscious of this. Reymond Levy
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Fresh from a South African village, James (Shibe) arrives in the land described in the film's
opening choral anthem as, "Zion, where the heart of the world is...the place where our dreams
lie." Despite his infectious smile, James fails to convince the interrogating immigration officer
that he has, in fact, come to Israel for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and not to make money. Waiting
to be deported, he is suddenly plucked out of his prison cell by Shimi (Daw), handpicked because
"he looks like a good boy." Shimi posts the young man's bail and confiscates his passport. James
becomes his indentured servant, forced to do menial labor and share an overcrowded dormitory
with other illegal aliens.