FILM INFO

SPOTLIGHT

Lemon Tree

Winner of the Audience Award at the Berlin Film Festival and Best Actress prize (Hiam Abbass) at the Israeli Film Academy Awards, LEMON TREE is Eran Riklis' (THE SYRIAN BRIDE, CUP FINAL) engaging human drama of one woman's struggle to preserve her way of life in the midst of political turmoil. The wonderful Hiam Abbass (THE VISITOR) is Salma, a Palestinian widow who earns her living tending to her late father's lemon grove. When an Israeli government minister moves next door and declares the grove a potential security threat, Salma struggles to defend her peaceful livelihood. Personal drama gives way to political controversies as Salma forms an unexpected bond with the minister's lonely wife (Rona Lipaz-Michael), and takes her protest - with the help of her young lawyer (Ali Suliman, PARADISE NOW) - all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court.

  • Cast


    Salma Zidane
    Hiam Abbass
     
    Ziad Daud
    Ali Suliman
     
    Mira Navon
    Rona Lipaz-Michael
     
    Defense Minister Israel Navon
    Doron Tavory
     
    Abu Hussam
    Tarik Copty
     

    Crew


    Directed by
    Eran Riklis
     
    Writers
    Suha Arraf Eran Riklis
     
    Produced by
    Bettina Brokemper, Antoine de Clermont-Tonnerre, Michael Eckelt , Eran Riklis
     
    Executive Produced by
     

UPCOMING CALENDAR

  • April 15
    LEMON TREE AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND
    Watch this eagerly-awaited work from director Eran Riklis (SYRIAN BRIDE) on-demand today via 'IFC In Theaters'.

    REMIND ME

  • April 17
    LEMON TREE OPENS
    The wonderful Hiam Abbas (THE VISITOR) shines in this politically-balanced drama, opening in select theaters today!

    REMIND ME

CRITICS’ QUOTES

  • ‘The rare ability to make intelligent, entertaining cinema from hot-button current issues is illustrated beautifully in LEMON TREE Variety

    ‘WISE AND POIGNANT Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter

    ‘INTELLIGENT, ENTERTAINING CINEMA. A MULTIFACETED DRAMA STRADDLING THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CHASM...AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE FROM HIAM ABBASS Derek Kelly, Variety

    ‘****(Four Stars)! Captivating...compelling...Abbass's soulful resilience is the emotional clincher. Trevor Johnston, Time Out London

OFFICIAL POSTER

ACCLAIM

    • Official Selection
      Berlin Film Festival 2008
    • Official Selection
      Edinburgh Internation Film Festival 2008
    • Official Selection
      Mill Valley Film Festival 2008
    • Winner, Audience Award
      2008 Berlin International Film Festival
    • Winner, Best Actress (Hiam Abbas)
      2008 Israeli Film Academy Awards