Based on the best-selling novel by one of Israel’s most critically acclaimed authors, Amos Oz, JUDAS explores the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot in a multi-layered story that touches on the roots of anti-Semitism, the origins of the Jewish-Arab conflict, and the complex reality in Israel. It raises the question of when is a traitor a visionary.

Dan Wolman , director, is a veteran Israeli filmmaker whose films have been presented at Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and many other film festivals, winning awards and prizes. Wolman received a “Life time achievement award” at the Jerusalem International film festival and “The Silver Hugo” award at the Chicago International Film Festival for “Unique vision and innovative work”.

JUDAS premiered at the Haifa International Film Festival. Prof. Ranen Omer-Sherman joins us after the film for a pre-recorded talk about Amos Oz, the novel, and the film.

MEET RANEN OMER-SHERMAN

Ranen Omer-Sherman is the  JHFE Endowed Chair in Judaic Studies at the University of Louisville. In addition to dozens of journal articles and reviews, he is the author or editor of six books including the soon to be released Amos Oz: The Legacy of a Writer in Israel and Beyond. 

Professor Omer-Sherman made aliyah to Israel when he was 17, lived on a kibbutz and served in the IDF as a paratrooper. He brings both an American and Israeli perspective to this multi-layered film adaptation of Oz’s novel.

JUDAS has been made possible by Season Underwriters Linda Schoen Giddings and Daryl Giddings, Film Underwriters Audrey Goldings and Barry Schrager, and Film Sponsors Gloria Abella Ballen and Ron Duncan Hart.