Off White Lies

by Maya Kenig

Synopsis

After years of living apart from her dad, Libby, an introverted yet sharp-witted teenager is sent to live with him in Israel.
Her arrival coincides with the outbreak of the second Lebanon war.
Libby quickly discovers that her Dad, Shaul, is an infantile eccentric, and that he is “in-between apartments” (in other words: homeless). Shaul comes up with a creative plan to put a roof over their heads- they pose as refugees from the bombarded northern region of Israel, and are taken in by a well-off family in Jerusalem.
Finally in a “normal” household, Shaul and Libby begin to build their father- daughter relationship, but their false identities cannot last forever, especially as Libby unleashes teenage fury at the lies permeating her life; those she must tell now, and those she’s been fed since childhood.

Specifications

Israel 2011 86mn 1.85:1 Stereo Lt Rt Hebrew 1st Feature Film

Original title

Orchim LeRega

Written by

Maya Kenig & Dana Dimant

Produced by

Aurit Zamir & Yoav Roeh

Co-produced by

Janja Kralj

Featuring

Gur Bentwich, Elya Inbar, Tzahi Grad, Arad Yeni, Salit Achi-Miriam, Shimon Mimran, Sigal Arad Inbar

Music

Udi Berner

Festivals and Awards

Berlinale’s Official Selection – Generation
Zlin FF Czech Republic – Miloš Macourek Award
Seret UK FF – World Cinema
Yerevan IFF Golden Apricot – Official Selection
Jerusalem IFF – Best Actor – Gur Bentwich
Filmforum Zadar FF – World Cinema
Saint-Petersburg IFF – Competition
Sao Paolo IFF – International Perspective
Moscow Israeli FF
Busan IFF – Flash Forward Selection
Melbourne and Sydney Jewish FF
UK Jewish FF
Gijon IFF – Enfants Terribles selection
Talinn Black Nights FF – Just Film
Barbican Film Center
JCC London FF – World Cinema
Israeli FF – China
Israeli FF – Athens
Israeli FF – Hungary
Bratislava FF – World Cinema
Israeli FF – Belarus
Asian Pacific Screen Award – Best Children’s film
Palm Springs IFF – New Voices / New Visions
Kiev Molodist FF – Israeli Week – Ukraine

Variety's Quote

“Pic reps a solid inclusion in Berlin’s Generation section after a fine fest run in Jerusalem, Busan and Palm Springs, and will score a host of buyers ».

Robert Koehler VARIETY

International release dates

In Israel: May 2012
In the US: November 2012
In Russia: March 2013
In France : June 10th, 2013