Written by new-contact on Feb 14, 2014. Posted in On Location

Natalie Portman films directorial debut on location in Jerusalem

Actress Natalie Portman is filming her directorial debut on location in Jerusalem. A Tale of Love and Darkness is based on the autobiographical novel by Israeli writer Amos Oz and explores the early years of the State of Israel.

Portman has a strong connection to Israel having been born in Jerusalem and raised in a Jewish family before moving to the US at a young age. She wrote the film’s screenplay and is also directing herself in the role of Amos Oz’s mother. The production has received around USD450,000 in financial support from the Jerusalem Development Authority.

The movie has caused controversy in some parts of the city, specifically among ultra-Orthodox residents, who have objected to the film crew’s presence in religiously sensitive areas, the Times of Israel reports.

“There is a constant tension between the desire to celebrate diverse and interesting Jerusalem and the attempts by extremist groups to prevent this,” Deputy Mayor Rachel Azaria told the outlet.

There is a constant tension between the desire to celebrate diverse and interesting Jerusalem and the attempts by extremist groups to prevent this.

Rachel Azaria, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem

“The attraction of the city, its unique architecture and the efforts of the film and television industry will triumph and the cinematic growth we’ve seen in Jerusalem in recent years will continue to flourish also tomorrow with Natalie Portman in Nahlaot (a central Jerusalem neighbourhood).”

Murder mystery Dig was recently announced as the first US drama production to film entirely on location in Jerusalem. In addition, the producers of Homeland plan to film new drama series Tyrant partly on location in Tel Aviv. The show will follow the son of a Middle Eastern dictator of a fictional country returning from exile in the US to a world of political intrigue.

(Israel photo: David Shankbone)