Columbia's Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies presents

"A Borrowed Identity" (a.k.a. "Dancing Arabs")

written by Sayed Kashua ("Arab Labor")

directed by Eran Riklis ("Lemon Tree," "The Human Resources Manager")

A new comic drama about the loves, losses, and education of an Arab teenager navigating Jewish Israel

Date: Wednesday, December 2

Time: 8:00pm

Location: 501 Schermerhorn Hall, Columbia University

RSVPs to iijs@columbia.edu are appreciated

Synopsis: In this adaptation of two novels by acclaimed author, Sayed Kashua, a gifted Israeli Arab teen named Eyad (Tawfeek Barhom) is given the chance to go to a prestigious Jewish boarding school in Jerusalem. He leaves his family in Tira for a life-changing opportunity that also makes him a minority of one at his school. While desperately trying to fit in, Eyad falls in love with a Jewish girl, Naomi (Danielle Kitsis). He also tutors Yonatan (Michael Moshonov), who suffers from muscular dystrophy, and the two gradually become close friends. When Eyad and Naomi's secret relationship is challenged and Yonatan's health begins to fail, Eyad must make several decisions that will threaten his ability to be accepted in Jewish Israel or his hometown. (104 mins)

American trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdlBEyFMeg0
Israeli trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0Jjf3RrME