Film: Cinema is extremely popular in Israel and many cinemas screen three daily shows of international and local films (all Hebrew films are subtitled in English and French).
Israel does have its own small but thriving movie industry, focusing through drama, edgy thrillers and even comedies on the pressing concerns that confront the country - the Israel-Arab conflict, integration of newcomers, the legacy of the Holocaust, the religious-secular divide and other important Israeli issues.
However, most films being shown are foreign imports. These are usually subtitled in Hebrew, while maintaining their original soundtrack - American films often reach Israel before the UK, giving British visitors a chance to enjoy sneak previews of the latest Hollywood blockbusters. New movies from France, Spain and around the world are also shown.
By contrast, the art house-style movies screened at the Tel Aviv Cinemathèque, 2 Sprinzak (or Shprintzak) Street (tel: (03) 691 7181) are mostly subtitled in English. The cinematèque screens premieres of short and full-length Israeli films every evening and also holds a variety of film festivals including the Festival of Animation, Comics and Caricatures, the Student Film Festival, the Jazz, Film and Videotape Festival and Salute to Israeli Cinema. There are several multiscreen cinemas around town, for example on both the top floor and in the basement of the Dizengoff Centre. New films always start showing on Thursdays. Current movie listings can be seen in Ha'aretz and the Jerusalem Post.