A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015)

The story of Amos Oz's youth, set against the backdrop of the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the early years of the State of Israel. The film details the young man's relationship with his mother and his beginnings as a writer, while looking at what happens when the stories we tell become the stories we live.

Director:

Natalie Portman

Writers:

Natalie Portman (screenplay by), Amos Oz (based on the book by)

Stars:

Natalie Portman, Gilad Kahana, Amir Tessler

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natalie Portman	...	Fania
Gilad Kahana	...	Arieh
Amir Tessler	...	Amos
Moni Moshonov	...	Old Amos (voice)
Ohad Knoller	...	Israel Zarchi
Makram Khoury	...	Al Hilwani (as Makram J. Khoury)
Neta Riskin	...	Haya
Alexander Peleg	...	Old Amos (as Alex Peleg)
Rotem Keinan	...	Tsvi
Tomer Kapon	...	The Pioneer
Yonaton Shiray	...	Teenage Amos (as Yonatan Shiray)
Vladimir Friedman	...	Mr. Licht
Henry David	...	Colonel Jan
Dina Doron	...	Grandma Klausner (as Dina Doronne)
Itzchak Peker	...	Grandpa Klausner (as Itzhak Peker)

Storyline

Based on the international best-seller by Amos Oz, A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS is the story of his youth, set against the backdrop of the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the early years of the State of Israel. The film details the young man's relationship with his mother and his beginnings as a writer, while looking at what happens when the stories we tell, become the stories we live.

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Plot Keywords:

grief | arab israeli conflict | depression | self punishment | mother son relationship | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Mystery | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic content and some disturbing violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Israel USA

Language:

Hebrew

Release Date:

19 August 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Une histoire d'amour et de ténèbres

Filming Locations:

Jerusalem, Israel

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$37,170, 19 August 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$569,381, 2 October 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avi Chai fund, Gesher Fund, Handsomecharlie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Natalie Portman said that Terrence Malick's advice for her directorial debut A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015)] was 'Make films your way and don't let anyone tell you that you need a three-act structure. You just make movies as you experience life.' [Indiewire 2016]

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Quotes

Fania Oz: Go to sleep.
Amos Oz: I'm not tired.
Fania Oz: Alright, let's make up a story.

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Soundtracks

Women's Dance from Aleko
(Excerpt)
by Sergei Rachmaninoff feat. Nicholas Britell and Tim Fain
(P) 2015 Voltage Pictures under exclusive license to Milan Entertainment Inc.

User Reviews

must watch! a phenomenon piece of art!!!

Natalie Portman's first film has left me with even bigger admiration for her than what I had before. It's absolutely incredible what she has created. Extraordinary directing, amazing acting (she always act perfectly, but here she does it in Hebrew which is not to be taken for granted! Let's admit it- the woman is brilliant...), perfect filming and soundtrack. I can't get over how powerful this experience just was. I'm so looking forward now to see what other films she will direct because clearly she has got a great talent for that a well. Also, she chose an important story to create a film for. I mean, it really is a part of Israel's history. So, I have no more words other than to tell you - Please, go see it now! You don't want to miss that...