Vayehi Boker (Let it Be Morning)

media release: Israel, France | 2021 | DCP | 101 min. | Arabic with English subtitles

Director: Eran Kolirin

Cast: Alex Bakri, Juna Suleiman, Salim Daw

After living as an Israeli citizen for years, the Palestinian-born Sami (Bakri) returns home to the Arab village of his youth to attend his brother’s wedding. After the wedding, Sami’s hometown is put under a military lockdown by an Israeli blockade, effectively cutting him off from the outside world. As he deals with questions about his own identity and hidden secrets are revealed, Sami watches everything he holds dear begin to fall apart. The latest movie from the writer/director of The Band’s Visit, Let it Be Morning “presents a timely, pointed, at times cleverly satirical snapshot of Israeli-Palestinian relations. It also offers an often poignant look at a dysfunctional family at the center of it all” (Los Angeles Times). Presented with the support of UW-Madison’s Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Language Institute (MEDLI) summer program June 19-August 11 and Institute for Regional and International Studies National Resource Center (IRIS NRC).

Take a break from the dog days of summer and enjoy free screenings of great movies every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening from June 28 to August 4. UW Cinematheque's summer season begins with Charlotte Le Bon's evocative Falcon Lake on June 28, followed by David Lynch's Blue Velvet on June 29. Summer selections also include local premieres, another trip to Lynchland by way of the Land of Oz, and a voyage into and beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Plus, a pair of dreamlike contemporary classics from Hungary, two by Federico Fellini starring Alberto Sordi, a Barbara Stanwyck double feature showcase on 35mm, a diptych of NYC bank heist films, and more! All Cinematheque screenings are free and open to the public.