Avi Nesher

Avi Nesher’s award-winning films have played a major part in Israeli cinema’s rise to prominence during the last decade. During that period, remarkably enough, four Israeli movies were nominated for Best Foreign Picture. During that era, Nesher was singled out and honored several times as one of Israel’s all-time greatest filmmakers.

In 2018 Avi Nesher won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Also in 2018 Nesher released The Other Story. The film premiered at the 2018 Toronto Film Festival “The Other Story”, which is based on a true story and was written by Nesher and his co-writer and known psychologist Noam Shpancer, was the most viewed Israeli film of 2018 and granted Nesher the Best Director Award from The Israeli Film Critic Association.

In 2016, Nesher wrote, directed and produced the post-war family drama “Past Life”, which is set in Israel’s revolutionary year of 1977 and is based on true events (inspired by Dr. Baruch Milch’s autobiography “Can Heaven Be Void?”).”Past Life” was an official selection at Toronto International Film Festival 16′ (“Profoundly moving, suspenseful, gripping character-driven drama with hauntingly beautiful music” – Variety), and also the closing night at the Haifa International Film Festival (“An explosion of sheer emotional and cinematic virtuosity” – Cinemascope). In its long theatrical run in Israel, “Past Life” was a resounding success, receiving excellent reviews and close to 200,000 spectators. It was nominated for 5 Ophir Awards (the Israeli Oscars) including Best Actress and Original Score. Internationally the film was bought and distributed by the Samuel Goldwyn Company and by MGM/Orion.

In 2013, Nesher’s film The Wonders was praised by film critic Yair Raveh (Cinemascope) who called it the best Israeli movie of the year. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was selected as one of five exceptional films featured in the Contemporary World Speakers program. Variety film critic Alissa Simon hailed it a “smart, stylish, and sophisticated dramedy.”

In 2008, Nesher received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival. In 2009, he received the Cinematic Excellence Award at the Haifa Film Festival and a star on the Avenue of the Stars, an honor rarely bestowed on directors. In 2010 Nesher received the prestigious Landau Award for Excellence in the Arts.

That year, Nesher’s “The Matchmaker”, which premiered as an official selection at the Toronto Film Festival and later on that year won the Silver Plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival. “The Matchmaker” was nominated for nine Israeli Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and won three, including Best Actor and Best Actress. It will open in U.S. theaters later this fall.

In 2007, Nesher’s “The Secrets” also premiered as an official selection at the Toronto Film Festival. It was hailed by the Hollywood Reporter as “…witty and wise, sensual and emotionally overpowering – one of the best Israeli movies in recent years”. Legendary movie critic Andrew Sarris declared “The Matchmaker” “One of the most remarkable movies of the year”. It was nominated for seven Israeli Academy Awards, and won two.

In 2005, Nesher directed the highly experimental political documentary “Oriental”, which won the Spirit of Freedom Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival. “Brilliant and original” raved the Jerusalem Post. “Avi Nesher is clearly Israel’s most innovative filmmaker”.

In 2004, Nesher wrote and directed “Turn Left at the End of the World”, — a surreal deconstruction of Israel’s immigration mythology. “Turn Left” became Israel’s biggest box office success, as well as becoming one of the best-reviewed films of the era. It was nominated for eight Israeli Academy Awards and won three.

Nesher’s earlier credits also include many films of note. His very first film, “The Troupe” was a controversial hit that shocked the Israeli establishment by ridiculing the IDF; it has gone on to become an Israeli cult classic and most recently was adapted as a very successful stage play by the Israeli National Theater.

Following his auspicious debut, Nesher wrote and directed “Rage and Glory”, which tells the controversial story of a Jewish terror organization during the 1940s. “Rage and Glory” caused a political storm, was lauded by international critics, and in 2001 was selected by the Lincoln Center Film Society as one of the most important films in 50 years of Israeli cinema.

After seeing “Rage and Glory”, producer Dino De Laurentis convinced Nesher to come to Hollywood. Consequently, Nesher wrote and directed the sci-fi mystery “Timebomb” for MGM (produced by Rafaella De Laurentiis) and the sensual, supernatural mystery “Doppelganger” for 20th Century Fox, starring Drew Barrymore, both of which won prizes at the Avoriaz Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival.

Nesher’s American success allowed him to produce, write, and direct the independent feature “The Taxman” which opened to extraordinary reviews: The New York Times called it “A delight…a charmer of a mystery” and Jeffrey Lyons of NBC hailed it as “A cinematic gem…not to be missed!”