JAMES’ JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM Beyond Conflict: Focus on the Middle East

Documentarian Ra’anan Alexandrowicz (THE INNER TOUR) utilizes irreverence, wit and insight to craft an intense, often humorous and extremely adept exploration of the age old journey to that most holy of places-Jerusalem.

In the imaginary African village of Entshongweni, young James is chosen to undertake a mission-a pilgrimage to holy Jerusalem. But Israel is no longer the Holy Land that James and his people imagined. At the airport, James is suspected of trying to infiltrate the country to work illegally. He is jailed and destined for deportation. As James prays to God to help him complete his pilgrimage, a miracle occurs-a mysterious stranger posts bail for him. But James’ freedom has come at a price-his savior is a manpower agent, who rescues illegal migrant workers to employ them for hard labor jobs.

Using a light touch to tell a deep story, Alexandrowicz’ film is a poetic and often humorous homage that refuses to romanticize its characters, including the city of Jerusalem. It’s such a joy to follow the exceptionally entertaining leading man, Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, on his unforgettable journey to the holy land.