Foreign Letters (2012)

Foreign Letters (Hebrew: מרחקים‎) is a 2012 Israeli/American drama film based on a true story of the movie's writer and director, Ela Thier.

The movie, which has gotten both positive and negative reviews from multiple sources, involves Ellie, a 12-year-old immigrant girl from Israel, and her family after moving into the United States in 1982. At first she experiences all kinds of difficulties, but then she meets Thuy, a Vietnamese refugee her age, bringing a changing point as the movie progresses. Its themes include the immigrant experience, learning English, dealing with prejudice, sharing secrets, opening to other cultures, and creatively handling conflict in friendships.

Based on the filmmaker's own experience, Foreign Letters is a story about prejudice, "poverty, shame, and the power of friendship to heal us".

The film features the music of iconic Israeli musician Chava Alberstein, who was the director's favorite musician when her family immigrated to the US in 1982. The film was the official selection at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival.



^ "Foreign Letters - Music". Retrieved May 30, 2013.

^ "מרחקים FOREIGN LETTERS". Retrieved May 30, 2013.

^ "Foreign Letters". IMDb. Retrieved May 30, 2013.

^ "Foreign Letters". http://www.rottentomatoes.com/. Retrieved May 31, 2013.

^ "Foreign Letters". Amazon. Retrieved May 30, 2013.

^ "Movie Reviews". Retrieved May 30, 2013.

^ "Film Movement - Foreign Letters". Retrieved May 30, 2013.

Synopsis

Ellie (Noa Rotstein) has come to the United States from Israel with her father, mother, and little brother in 1982. After her uncle was killed by friendly fire during the 1982 Lebanon War, her parents decided to leave the country in protest. Feeling homesick, Ellie keeps in touch with her best friend in Israel telling her about their new television and shopping in thrift stores. But as time goes on, she gets more and more frustrated about not knowing English.