Lior Ashkenazi takes a look at 'Norman' – Israel News – Jerusalem Post – Jerusalem Post Israel News
Posted By richards on March 12, 2017
Meeting Lior Ashkenazi, who stars in Joseph Cedars new movie, Norman, with Richard Gere, brings to mind Albert Camus famous quote: You know what charm is: a way of getting the answer yes without having asked a clear question.
Norman opened Thursday in theaters throughout Israel, and Ashkenazi who truly never needs to ask a clear question unless he feels like it sat down for an interview at the Diaghilev Hotel in Tel Aviv earlier last week.
Ashkenazi plays Micha Eshel, an Israeli politician who accepts a favor from Geres character, Norman (the subtitle of the movie is The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer), then gets drawn into Normans schemes after he becomes prime minister. Its an unusual mixture of comedy and tragedy with parallels to many current news stories.
Ive seen many situations like that from the world of celebrities, said Ashkenazi, who could easily have coasted on the charm and looks he was born with he combines the face and physique of a Greek god with the slightly befuddled expression of a hero in a Woody Allen comedy, and to say that this works for him is an understatement but has focused on his acting, and is now one of Israels most acclaimed actors.
Someone gives you something and you pay for it by posing for a photo, he said.
Ashkenazi has been a celebrity for years, thanks to acting, which has put him at the center of the renaissance in Israeli movies over the past decade and a half. Among his most important movies are Dover Koshashvilis A Late Wedding, which ushered in the trend of stories about outsiders in Israel, in this case, Georgians (and which features the most sizzling sex scene in Israeli movies, with Ashkenazi and the late Ronit Elkabetz); Eytan Foxs Walk on Water, in which Ashkenazi plays a tightly wound Mossad agent who befriends a gay man; Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushados two gory psychological thrillers Rabies and Big Bad Wolves (which Quentin Tarantino called the best film of the year), where the actor portrays disturbed, violent cops; and Cedars previous film, the Oscar-nominated Footnote, in which, cast against type, Ashkenazi plays a Talmud scholar locked into a rivalry with his father.
He is especially pleased with his work with Cedar, which he sees as a true collaboration, especially with Norman.
When I came into Footnote, the script was pretty much finished, he said. But on Norman, I was more involved... Its a complicated story, with so many implications. And it was a script Joseph was working on for a long time, and he really involves the actors in the work, it was wonderful. Its a complicated story and it was woven together so carefully.
Cedar challenged me... Hes intellectual and you have to be alert. He can talk about so many things and you have to know what they are.
Working with Gere also upped his game.
There was the excitement of Im working with Richard Gere!, and then he is a colleague, we work together, we eat together, we talked about his choices... He works very hard, hes a very method actor, very concentrated. Between takes, hes focused, he doesnt fool around... You think of him as a leading man, from Pretty Woman and movies like that. But he is very serious, although of course hes also very charismatic... He brings out an elegance in the character.
ANY MOVIE about politics will invite questions about how much it is based on reality, and Ashkenazi was very clear about how he sees his character.
People say, Is it Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu]? No, its not him. In a way, its a combination of several prime ministers and politicians, where theyre in the right place at the right time and suddenly theyre popular... And the politicians, no matter how popular they are... there is always someone behind them, someone they are indebted to.
In order to hone his characterization Ashkenazi tried to meet with politicians, but was disappointed to discover that when they heard the synopsis, they all refused...you could do a copy-paste from the headlines into the script and that made them uncomfortable, apparently.
Ashkenazi sees Norman as something more than just a political story.
Its about friendship, he said. Its about how you know if someone is really a friend, or you wonder whether hes just someone who needs something from you... In Norman, theres a lot of ambivalence, and its left open: does he love Norman, or is Norman just someone who can do things for him? Ashkenazi, who was born in Ramat Gan to Ladino-speaking parents from Turkey, said he came to acting in that cliche way; I was always the class clown.
Inspired by Burt Lancaster movies, which he enjoyed watching with his father, and the work of Robert De Niro, he studied acting at Beit Zvi. Although he is proud he has never had a day job since he finished school, when some of his early plays were not the hits he had hoped they would be, he enrolled in a computer science course.
But after one lesson, I understood its not for me. And he has never looked back, moving gradually from theater to film as the movie industry flourished.
After his films were shown at festivals around the world, there was the temptation of trying to go to Hollywood, but he resisted it.
If I go there, I would always be foreign, I would always have an accent, he said. I cant see myself going on auditions in LA.
Surprisingly, Ashkenazi said he was terrible at auditions.
But some foreign directors have come calling recently. After the interview, he was off to work on an international movie, Entebbe, about the hijacking and rescue mission in 1976, which is shooting a few scenes here.
The film, which Jos Padilha, the creator of the television series Narcos, is directing, also stars Rosamund Pike and Daniel Bruhl. Once again, Ashkenazi will play a prime minister, but this time a real one: Yitzhak Rabin.
Portraying a real prime minister, and such a revered one, he says, can be a burden.
Im not doing an imitation of Rabin, he said. Im in a story about this rescue mission and Im playing the prime minister who ordered it.
He is also in Julie Deplys movie My Zoe and he plays a Jewish reporter from New York in Dragos Buligas vampire movie, The Wanderers. He will play a Mossad agent in Sarajevo in a film by Tony Kaye, who made American History X.
But Israeli cinema remains key for Ashkenazi and he has roles in upcoming films by Eran Riklis (The Syrian Bride) and Shmuelik Maoz (Lebanon). Although he is no longer performing in the theater, he has been directing plays for some time, and is now directing his first short film. Its based on a play and tells the story of a driving instructor giving a test who voices regrets about his life to a student. Ashkenazi has chosen not to act in this project and it stars Menashe Noy as the instructor and Moran Rosen as the student.
But although directing beckons, he said he wouldnt give up acting anytime soon.
This is always was what Ive really wanted to do.
Relevant to your professional network? Please share on Linkedin
View post:
Lior Ashkenazi takes a look at 'Norman' - Israel News - Jerusalem Post - Jerusalem Post Israel News
- Israel Meir Kin is a threat to all Jewish women [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Ashkenazi (people) -- Encyclopedia Britannica [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Ashkenazi - New World Encyclopedia - Info:Main Page - New ... [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Los fabulosos 90s en el lanzamiento de ecko - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- LORD's Word(03 22 14)PT6 Esau is Edom, Seir, Idumea Not Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- traxxas e revo vs bruslesh - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- INTENTIA TADMIT - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- Is there a link between Parkinsons and Ashkenazi Jews? [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Hitler [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- DNA Evidence Suggests Hitler May Have Married Woman of Jewish Descent [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- Was Adolf Hitler's lover Eva Braun from a Jewish family? [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- karate motti samobor 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- Greeces last Romaniote Jews remember a catastrophe [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- DNA suggests Hitler may have married a Jew [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- Hitler may have 'unwittingly married a Jew' [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- -- -- - Video [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- CIMG6555 - Video [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- 10 Ancient Knowledge Pt 6c Lost History, Phoenicians, Alphabet, Symbology, Ashkenazi, Mythology - Video [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- Documentary: Hitlers wife, Eva Braun, may have had Jewish ancestry [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- Did Hitler's wife have Jewish ancestry? UK TV show makes DNA claims of Ashkenazi heritage - Video [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- smt 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2014]
- E revo vs e maxx traxxass - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2014]
- Conversation with Cantor Aaron Bensoussan [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2014]
- Louisa Shafia Explains the Jewish and Persian Influences in Her Gondi Recipe [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- For Passover, so many ways to kugel [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2014]
- Drop Kingz Review - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- 2 so called sephardim and ashkenazi jews - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- 1 so called sephardim and ashkenazi jews - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- GUITAR SHRED VIRTUOSO "Wurz' Shred" - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- - (2000) - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- - (2008) - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- - (2002) - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Nera Kraljevic & Gil Ashkenazi social @ 3rd Istanbul Salsa Festival - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- Danay Bustamante & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ 3rd Istanbul Dance Festival 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- - (2008) - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- - (2001) - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- - (2002) - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- Victor Ashkenazi vs Bill Phipps Championship flight - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- Nordic Open 2014 DMP Thomas Kristensen (DK) - Victor Ashkenazi (World) - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- - 2004 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- Marc Olsen vs Victor Ashkenazi part 2, Denmark vs. The World - Video [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- Marc Olsen vs Victor Ashkenazi part 1, Denmark vs. The World - Video [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- Andrew Carrington Hitchcock - Founder of the Church Of Satan Anton LaVey was an Ashkenazi Jew - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Baby by Idan & Natali Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Magna Gopal & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ 3rd Istanbul Dance Festival 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- 100 Million Non Jews Murdered by USSR's ashkenazi communist Regime YouTube1 - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- THE FALSE ASHKENAZI / KHAZARS JEWS - Video [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2014]
- Mave Store: ORLY ASHKENAZI - Video [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- Ashkenazi Genetic Diseases - Video [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- Faces of Various Jewish Groups (Ashkenazi, Mizrahi, Italkim, & Sephardi) - Video [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- Mount Sinai Genetic Testing Laboratory Nearly Doubles Diseases Covered by Ashkenazi Jewish Carrier Screening Panel [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Falasha Jews and Sephardic jews ,how are they treated by Ashkenazi Jews in Israel - Louis Farrakhan - Video [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- Ensuring your baby's health with genetic testing [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Pittsburgh photographer offers rare view of Eastern European synagogues [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- Ella Jauk & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ On2 Salsa Congress 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- Becky Lee & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ 4th On2 Salsa Congress 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- New Products: Asper Biotech's Ashkenazi Jewish Diseases Test [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- Wolpe Vows he will no longer address issue of ethnic percentages [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- shmulik ashkenazi photographer - riviki and daniel - Video [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- Heres Whats About To Hit Netflix [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- WBTOC - Semi Finals - Victor Ashkenazi vs. Gerry Tansey - Video [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2014]
- Masters - Round 1 - Victor Ashkenazi vs. Michi - Video [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2014]
- WBTOC - Best of 3 Victor Ashkenazi vs. Sabri (score 1-1) - Video [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2014]
- Masters Rd 2 - Justin Nunez vs. .Victor Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2014]
- Prince Andrew's pal Goga Ashkenazi takes design duties VERY seriously [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- Sun 11am CST - Chicago Open Rd 6 - Victor Ashkenazi vs. Masayuki Mochizuki - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- iHome Makes a Splash with the iBN6. New Award-Winning iPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker takes Your Sounds into the Sun ... [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- dvir ashkenazi - war ballad - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- FM1 Hickey vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- FMFinal Riles vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- QCC1 Ashkenazi vs Todd - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Who are the Ashkenazi Jews? (with pictures) [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- FM2 Kostadinov vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- FM1 Kostadinov vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- Charlotte Main Rd3 Ashkenazi vs Stuart Thompson - Video [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- Canadian researchers track Angelina effect on cancer gene screening [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2014]
- Ashkenazi Jews Are NOT From Judah (CHRISTIAN OVERCOMERS) - Video [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2014]
- Despite advances, ovarian cancer survival rates refuse to budge [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2014]
- Angelina Jolie Effect Doubles BRCA Testing; @ProMedicaHealth Cancer Genetics Expert Discusses the Importance of ... [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
- Sofer compares Sephardi and Ashkenazi sefer Torah - Video [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
Comments