By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Arik Kaplun
Starring: Evelyn Kaplun | Mosko Alkalai | Nir Levy | Shmil Ben Ari
Original language title: Ha-Chaverim Shel Yana
Country: israel
Year: 2002
Running time: 90
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0162909
Diane says: “Director Arik Kaplun, himself a Russian immigrant to Israel, looks at the hurdles faced by Russian immigrants in Tel Aviv. The Gulf War looms, a pregnant and penniless woman is abandoned by her husband, conflicts over money lead to arguments and fisticuffs in the neighborhood, yet the film turns into a romantic comedy. YANA’S FRIENDS has a very good ensemble cast, and is similar in tone to ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS while hitting neither the highs nor lows of that movie. Special treat for documentary fans: a great docu of a few years ago plays a part in the plot.
“At this screening, Janet and I saw the trailer for LATE MARRIAGE which included raves about its remarkably naturalistic sex scene, but I’m sure the unlikely yet practical sex scenes in YANA’S FRIENDS are the winner.” 3 cats