Nini is an Israeli romantic drama film from 1962, directed by Shlomo Suryano and starring Arik Einstein and Ronit Katz in the lead roles.[1][2][3]
The screenplay was written by Shlomo Suryano and is based on the 1957 book Nini, Daughter of the Other Religion by Meir Zarhi.[4] The Israeli Film and Theater Censorship Board initially sought to ban the film[5] because of its story about a Jewish man falling in love with a Christian woman.[6][7] Ultimately, the screening of the film was approved, but it was denied the benefits usually granted to Israeli films under the Israeli Film Law.
Background
editThis was Arik Einstein's first film. He portrays a young Jewish man who falls in love with a young Christian woman despite opposition from all sides. Ronit Katz, a former member of the Nahal entertainment troupe, was chosen by Suryano from among the students of the Beit Zvi acting school for her role.[citation needed]
Production was "harassed by Israeli authorities".[8]
The film premiered at the "David Palace" cinema, received harsh reviews, failed commercially,[citation needed] and was largely forgotten.[8]
The film is described as follows: "Banned by the sensors, officially for its risqué imagery – its lack of Zionist messaging may have been too much for the authorities in 1962."[9] The film, in which the Arabic language is dominant, altough one of the first film produced in the country, was deemed "an exotic non-Israeli affair".[8]
Production
editThe film is Meir Zarchi's first film credit (as author of the original story). It was filmed against the backdrop of the streets and scenery of Tel Aviv-Jaffa in the 1960s.
Home video
editUnited King Films later released a DVD box set of Arik Einstein's films, including a digitally restored edition of Nini.[citation needed]
Screenings
editThe film was screened in Boca Raton in 2023 as part of series of Israeli films.[10]
Reception
editThe film was noted as an example of the increasing number of productions with female leads in Israeli cinema of the time.[11]
References
edit- ^ Nini (1962) | MUBI. Retrieved 2024-12-08 – via mubi.com.
- ^ Manvell, Roger (1972). The International Encyclopedia of Film. Joseph. ISBN 978-0-7181-1016-1.
- ^ Jewish observer and Middle East review. Zionist Review. 1962.
- ^ Goble, Alan (2011-09-08). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-095194-3.
- ^ Israel (1962). שנתון הממשלה (in Hebrew). המדפיס הממשלתי.
- ^ יצחק זפרני (2022-05-21). ניני סרט משנת 1963 עם אריק איינשטיין. Retrieved 2024-12-08 – via YouTube.
- ^ Kronish, Amy (1996). World Cinema: Israel. Flicks Books. ISBN 978-0-948911-70-5.
- ^ a b c מערבון: מגזין חדש לקולנוע (in Hebrew). עמותת מיען. 2005.
- ^ "Nini (1962) | FAU Israel Film Series - the Boca Raton Tribune | the Boca Raton Tribune".
- ^ "Israel Film Week". Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
- ^ Harris, Rachel S. (2017-10-16). Warriors, Witches, Whores: Women in Israeli Cinema. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8143-3968-8.