James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003)

i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

i am enjoying all the Israeli films on netflix. i too am catholic and used to live there (but white). Its a tad different because its filmed 4-5 years before I arrived, but still good.Every time you see Israel via a film lens it appears different. This is evidence of the constant haze of politics and confusion that engulfs anyone there. You really have to look close to "see" things going on as they truly are.I really enjoyed the actors and the authentic shots and linguistics. Its a great movie for anyone to learn from. Most importantly, the film exposes much of the hard life that immigrants face in Israel. I recently looked on the website at obtaining a visa. I cannot tell you how many rules there are to prevent these abuses from happening. The fact the rules are there and so specific is evidence that immigrants were abused in the past.I mostly had assumed this was immigrants from Asia (as they are commonly seen in Tel Aviv) but this movie opened my eyes to the widespread abuse of these people via extortion. It reminded me very much of people smugglers and the Mexican 'coyotes' preying on people's desires and dreams to live elsewhere.A very good movie. Not depressing at all (as I was told). Its heartwarming and educational.

This is a tale about how an idealistic young man is corrupted by modern society, how easy spiritualism can lead to materialism if the right checks and balances in own's life are not kept. The movie is set in modern Israel, but it might be anywhere else where the economy is booming and cheap labor is needed. The motto of the characters during the movie is "Don't be a frayer!" (sucker). James, the main character, strives not to be one. "Ani lo frayer" (I am not a frayer). In the process he will become a different man but, eventually, life will teach him a lesson that will push him to recover his lost innocence.Finally, another important symbolism of the movie relates to Israel itself. The country has become in recent decades a full-fledged capitalist society back from the primitive socialist Zionism of the founding fathers, something well represented by the bustling city of Tel-Aviv full of American-style malls. I'd say the director is also trying to make a wake-up call to his fellow country men regarding the path the country has taken. Therefore, and in this sense, James' transformation embodies Israel own drift from the Zionist roots.

I have just finished one of the most delightful movies I've ever seen. A young Zulu who comes to Israel from his village to view the Jerusalem he's read about in the Bible all his life, the culmination of a man's vision and belief which becomes complicated as he gets caught up in the harsh realities of life. Yet he remains true to his goal and eventually sees Jerusalem and uses the modern equipment he has acquired in this case a camera to record the city, the city on film to return to Africa with his new knowledge of the world. He is exhilarated by having having finally seen the Jerusalem of his dreams. This picture has to be seen and felt as no words are eloquent enough to capture the essence of this truly remarkable film.

Viewing the trailer, it seems to be a simple benign tale of how a young man James sent on a pilgrimage with the mission to see Jerusalem. Hm, it's really a black comedy in parable form, laughing at possible vulnerable morality, social foibles, and almost political non-comments on economy, religion, community, people coping with living. Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe is James (our main hero). Arieh Elias is Sallah (the father of Shimi). Salim Dau is Shimi (the man who got James). Together these three lively talented actors, with a host of supporting characters, gave us 87 mins. of a film from Israel, in Hebrew, Zulu and English. Written and directed by Ra'anan Alexandrowicz, this tale is not unique in Israel, but can very well be any city in the world, where money exchange and transactions exist for the advancement of one's social and living status. It feels (at first) rather like Antoine de Saint Exupéry's "The Little Prince," James is discovering truth of things. Gradually it becomes more of an urban reality tale. It's not glamorous Hollywood fable like "Edward Scissorhands." Rather, it's a good-natured almost genuine in its sincere storytelling - James' innocence is as real as it gets. He wanted to be right, walk right, talk right, do the right thing. However, it seems the Lord has other ideas and plans in helping James to fulfill his mission of "Oh, Jerusalem". The dialog is practical, matter of fact, down to earth translations. In fact, the main story narration is in the form of a choir singing out (echoing) the storyline in a gospel song. Are the characters depicted being amoral? Is living such a chore and Shimi and wife and friends lacking in brightness of the heart? We laugh as we've seen and heard such things happening to others (oh no, not to us.) What a meaningful first debut feature. "James' Journey to Jerusalem" is a worthy and entertaining piece, may even rings true in its reflections of social insensitivity - living got to be more reassuring than that. The warmth that James felt towards Sallah, a grumpy and nostalgic (yet whimsical at times) old man, indicated his respect and recognition of a fellow living human being in spite of mutual weaknesses, and the handshake is reciprocal. Sadness and joy, the yin and yang, James cannot appreciate the view of Jerusalem more without what he's been through. Despite the ending situation, I felt James is much wiser and morally strengthened to continue living and abide by his heart. If you find this light, try Lars von Trier's "Dogville," which is substantively loaded with morality play and human foibles, and may even see the film in the light of how God sent his daughter (Nicole Kidman's Grace) to earth and the passion began, continued, and fulfilled. "Dogville" is not for everyone (NFE) for sure. "James' Journey to Jerusalem" aka Massa'ot James Be'eretz Hakodesh (2003), is ready for anyone with a gleeful heart!