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Streaming January 14-26, 2022 Digital Screening Room

Israel-Brazil | 86 minutes | 2021

Leaving Paradise

Southeast US Premiere

Cleo had always wanted to leave the big city in Brazil where he lives and move to a large farm with his family. After years of saving and planning, he is finally able to pursue his dream and relocate with his wife and 15 children to communal living in Brazil’s great outdoors. In establishing their family farm, the Barolo family grows closer than ever. They form a deep and powerful bond while working, cooking, studying, and playing music together. Everything appears to be working according to plan until Cleo’s daughter makes a startling discovery about their heritage — they are among the 30,000 Brazilians who are descendants of Sephardic Jews. In researching the Baralo family tree further, she discovers her family’s Jewish heritage, the news of which sets her and her siblings’ imaginations aflame with a burning desire to immigrate to Israel and convert to Judaism.

Awards

Best Documentary Film at the Haifa Film Festival

Director's Bio

Directed by Ofer Freiman

Director Photo
Ofer Freiman was born in Israel. He is a graduate with honors from the School of Film and Television of Tel-Hai College. Leaving Paradise is Ofer's first feature documentary film, which was developed for almost 6 years.

Cast and Credits

Director

Ofer Freiman

Screenwriter

Ofer Freiman, Kobi Netanel

Cinematographer

Ofer Freiman

Editor

Kobi Netanel

Cast

Antonio Cleofas De Oliveira Bezerra, Anita Braga Bezerra, Gerson Braga Bezerra

Film Info

Year

2021

Country

Israel-Brazil

Run-time

86 minutes

Language

Portuguese and Hebrew with English subtitles
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