Story of a devout Zulu Christian who makes a pilgrimage to Israel, only to discover that it is more like hell than heaven.
James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 40
Fresh: 36
Rotten:4
Average Rating: 7.1/10
Consensus: A smart and funny social satire about modern-day Jerusalem.
Theatrical Release:Mar 5, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: In this offbeat social satire, a Christian African tribe sends James (Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe), the noblest young man of their village, on a spiritual sojourn to Jerusalem. Apparently unaware of... In this offbeat social satire, a Christian African tribe sends James (Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe), the noblest young man of their village, on a spiritual sojourn to Jerusalem. Apparently unaware of the Middle East's political and economic situation, James is baffled when Israeli police at the airport mistake him for just another immigrant looking for work, and toss him in a detaining cell. His fervent prayers for salvation result in James' release into the care of Mr. Shimi (Salim Daw) an Israeli cleaning service owner who billets the young seeker at an overcrowded apartment and puts him to work as part of his migrant labor pool. At first James is horrified by his new life (he only wants to get to Jerusalem) but once he starts making money and shopping at the local mall, James starts to see the positive aspects of sinful capitalism. After getting some counsel from Shimi's old rascal of a father (Arie Elias), James learns to "play the game" and prosper financially behind Shimi's back, but in the process his divine glow grows tarnished and his trip to Jerusalem becomes permanently postponed. JAMES' JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM is a colorful, fast-moving little morality tale that zips from one sharply observed moment to another and benefits from a clever script that doesn't need to shout out its allegorical symbolism. The cast is uniformly natural and strong, especially Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, who carries the film gracefully along as he moves from sweet-natured innocent to corrupted capitalist. [More]
Starring: Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, Arie Elias, Salim Daw, Sandra Schonwald
Starring: Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, Arie Elias, Salim Daw, Sandra Schonwald, Hugh Masebenza, Florence Bloch
Director: Ra'anan Alexandrowicz
Director: Ra'anan Alexandrowicz
Screenwriter: Ra'anan Alexandrowicz, Sami Duenias
Producer: Amir Harel
Composer: Ehud Banay, Gil Smetana, Noam Halevi
Studio: Zeitgeist Films
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Reviews for James' Journey to Jerusalem
A personal film that examines unabashedly the previaling mores in contemporary Israeli society
It works as a message movie about the evils of capitalism, but could have been a much richer film if it ever strayed off message.
A deceptively gentle social satire brimming with likable performances and smart humor.
One of those disarming little films like No Man's Land that touches and amuses, all the while sneaking up on you with a message that lingers.
Plain and human and profoundly warmed by the appealing James of Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe.
Alexandrowicz manages to express most of his ideas without getting too heavy-handed, and the low-key tone is refreshing -- not just the humor but also the characterizations and story developments.
There's genuine tragedy in watching James tumble down the spiritual ladder from missionary to mercenary... Shibe plays the arc beautifully.
This darkly comic parable wonderfully contrasts modern corruptions against simple Christian faith.
An engaging and poignant film, one that could only be done by an insider.
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