Aviva Press

12TH NY SEPHARDIC JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT US PREMIERE FILM "GOT NO JEEP AND MY CAMEL DIED"

By Maria Esteves - March 5, 2008

The New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF) 2008, Opening Night US Premiere film GOT NO JEEP AND MY CAMEL DIED, directed by Ehud Tomalak, was held at the Center For Jewish History, Thursday, February 7, 7:30 PM. A special performance by Yair Dalal and Q&A session preceded the Opening Night Reception. Presented by the American Sephardi Federation/Sephardic House and Yeshiva University Museum; sponsored by New York State Council for the Arts. NYSJFF08 Opening Night US Premiere film attendees included cast of actors, UN diplomats, artists, directors, celebrity guests, members and patrons.

GOT NO JEEP AND MY CAMEL DIED is a powerful, historical and enlightening musical documentary film based on the life of composer, violinist and oud player Yair Dalal. Born and resides in Israel of Jewish Arab descent, Dalal takes you on a intimate musical journey through the Middle East and the desert capturing the history of Jewish Iraqi music. He masterfully blends Jewish and Iraqi music preserving the traditions of Jewish Iraqi musicians who migrated to Israel in the 1950s. Dalal's enchanting Middle Eastern songs in AL OL (1996) CD is a spiritual oasis. Yair Dalal is performing at Cité de la Musique, Paris, France, April 11-13, 2008.

GOT NO JEEP AND MY CAMEL DIED, directed by Ehud Tomalak | Israel | 2006 | 65 min. | Hebrew with English subtitles | nominated for Best Musician from the Middle East, 2003 BBC Radio World Music Awards.

NYSJFF08 Opening Night US Premiere film performance,
composer/violinist/oud player Yair Dalal, GOT NO JEEP
AND MY CAMEL DIED.

NYSJFF08 Opening Night US Premiere film performance,
percussionist David Buchbut, (left), with composer/
violinist/oud player Yair Dalal, GOT NO JEEP AND
MY CAMEL DIED.

NYSJFF08 Opening Night Reception, President David E. R.
Dangoor, American Sephardi Federation, (right), and Deputy
Permanent Representative, Mohamed Fathi Edrees, Permanent
Mission of Egypt to the U.N.

NYSJFF08 Opening Night Reception, Deputy Permanent Representative,
Mohamed Fathi Edrees, Permanent Mission of Egypt to the U N,
(right), with composer/violinist/oud player Yair Dalal, GOT NO JEEP
AND MY CAMEL DIED.

NYSJFF08 Opening Night US Premiere film, percussionist
David Buchbut, (right), with composer/violinist/oud player
Yair Dalal, GOT NO JEEP AND MY CAMEL DIED.