James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003)

90% of critics liked it
(40 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(854 ratings)

South African actor Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe stars as a devout Christian who becomes part of Tel Aviv's migrant force after making a pilgrimage from his African village to the Holy Land in director Ra'anan Alexandrowicz's cinematic look at the contrast between hypocritical Western values and… More South African actor Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe stars as a devout Christian who becomes part of Tel Aviv's migrant force after making a pilgrimage from his African village to the Holy Land in director Ra'anan Alexandrowicz's cinematic look at the contrast between hypocritical Western values and cultural Israeli divisions. After embarking on a religious journey to the Holy Land in a quest to find spiritual fulfillment, James (Shibe)'s subsequent involvement with the impoverished migrant workforce finds his religious journey sidetracked by an increasing desire to give his wealthy employers an unanticipated run for their money. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Ra'anan Alexandrowicz
Written By: Ra'anan Alexandrowicz, Sami Duenias
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 5, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Sep 28, 2004
Studio: Zeitgeist Films

Critic Reviews

Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
A pointed and funny allegory about a clash of values.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
This darkly comic parable wonderfully contrasts modern corruptions against simple Christian faith.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
A sly and insightful fable about a religious pilgrimage derailed.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
A fluid and often funny morality tale.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Searing little parable.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Given the fact that the protagonist's smiling acquiescence to bondage comes uncomfortably close to a Stepin Fetchit caricature, James' Journey almost makes forced servitude seem like a jaunty lark.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Story of a devout Zulu Christian who makes a pilgrimage to Israel, only to discover that it is more like hell than heaven.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A personal film that examines unabashedly the previaling mores in contemporary Israeli society
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
It works as a message movie about the evils of capitalism, but could have been a much richer film if it ever strayed off message.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
A deceptively gentle social satire brimming with likable performances and smart humor.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
One of those disarming little films like No Man's Land that touches and amuses, all the while sneaking up on you with a message that lingers.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
Plain and human and profoundly warmed by the appealing James of Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Alexandrowicz manages to express most of his ideas without getting too heavy-handed, and the low-key tone is refreshing -- not just the humor but also the characterizations and story developments.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
A gentle and moving parable.
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
There's genuine tragedy in watching James tumble down the spiritual ladder from missionary to mercenary... Shibe plays the arc beautifully.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
An intriguing fable.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic][color=blue]"James' Journey to Jerusalem" is about a young pilgrim, James, from a small village in Africa on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On the way, he is detained at the airport in Israel under suspicion of seeking work. He is freed by a corrupt… More
[font=Century Gothic][color=blue]"James' Journey to Jerusalem" is about a young pilgrim, James, from a small village in Africa on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On the way, he is detained at the airport in Israel under suspicion of seeking work. He is freed by a corrupt customs official to work in the employ of Shimi. James is surprised to find Israel a secular, materialistic state.[/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#0000ff]"James' Journey to Jerusalem" is a thoughtful and occasionally poignant movie. It sidesteps stereotypes to present a story about capitalism and the state of immigration in Israel(also covered in "Alila" and "Yana's Friends" but here racism is added into the mix). I thought it did a better job of showing the adjustments to a new society than "Lost Boys of Sudan" did. It is also helped by strong central performances. [/color][/font]

Cast

Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe
as James
Arie Elias
as Salah
Salim Daw
as Shimi

Sandra Schonwald
as Rachel
Hugh Masebenza
as Skomboze
Florence Bloch
as Re'uma

See full cast

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James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

Cast

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