IFC Films are picking from Eran Riklis’ tree, more specifically, the theatrical/VOD unit have taken the rights to a Berlin Film Festival crowd pleaser. After showcasing his border-dispute drama in The Syrian Bride a couple of seasons back, it is a backyard ruckus with Lemon Tree.
The drama revolves around Salma, a Palestinian widow, goes to war against the Israeli Defense Minister,
whose house lies opposite her lemon grove, on the border between Israel and the
Occupied Territories. The security authorities are quick to declare that Salma’s
trees pose an existential threat to the Defense Minister and his family, and
order them to be cut down. Salma, however, is determined to fight for her trees
and for her very life.
Here is an international trailer for the Panorama section Audience Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.