originally published: 03/12/2023

(SHIP BOTTOM, NJ) -- Adapting a Hebrew-language novel by the Palestinian author Sayed Kashua, the screenwriter-director Eran Kolirin uses the escalating absurdity of a family trapped in the wrong place at the wrong time to guide his new film “Let It Be Morning.” Lighthouse International Film Society and Cynthia Friedland, Re/Max of LBI present a screening of the film on Thursday, March 23 at 7:30pm in the Ship Bottom Firehouse.

After attending the wedding of his brother in the small village where he was raised, Sami (Alex Bakri)—a Palestinian citizen of Israel now living in Jerusalem—finds the village has been inexplicably blockaded and locked down, preventing his family from returning home.

Without cell phone service and cutoff from the rest of the world, the family must weather the evening while negotiating the escalating absurdity of their captivity. With the ever present undercurrent of suspense and possible violence, the film walks a fine line blending these elements with droll humor and absurdist fun.

Admission is $10 online/$12 door (free to LIF Society members). Click here for ticket information. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and appreciated.

Ship Bottom Firehouse is located at 2006 Central Ave in Ship Bottom, New Jersey.

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ERAN KOLIRIN - Director and writer: Born in 1973, in Tel Aviv, Eran Kolirin’s feature film debut as a director, THE BAND’S VISIT (2007), thrust him into the international spotlight, winning critical acclaim And over 50 prestigious awards from around the globe, including eight Israeli film academy awards. Two awards and special mention at the Cannes Film Festival and two European Film Awards.

THE EXCHANGE (2010) his second feature film competed in the 68th Venice International Film Festival in 2011. In 2016 his third film BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS AND HILLS premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard.

PRINCIPAL CAST: Main cast member: Alex Bakri as Sami; Main cast member: Juna Suleiman as Mira; Main cast member: Salim Daw as Tarek; Main cast member: Ehab Salami as Abed; Khalifa Natour as Mohammed; Samer Bisharat as Aziz; Yara Elham Jarrar as Lina; Maruan Hamdan as Adam; Doraid Liddawi as Nabil; Izabel Ramadan as Zahera; Arin Saba as Rola; Nadib Spadi as Ashraf.