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Friday, September 15 In the imaginary village of Entshongweni, very far from western civilization, the 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 in order to work illegally. He is jailed and destined for deportation. Inside the dark cell, as James prays to God to allow him to complete his mission, a miracle occurs. A mysterious stranger posts bail for him. But it soon becomes clear that James' freedom has come at a price - his savior is a manpower agent, who rescues illegal migrant workers in exchange for employing them in hard labor jobs. From then on, James' journey to Jerusalem turns into an unpredictable journey through the cruel heart of our economic system. With good teachers, a bit of luck, and some lateral thinking, James learns the tricks of the game and plays it towards an inevitable end. Alexandrowicz's strong social comments against Israeli society are evident in the film. In these politically correct times, Shimi's father borders on the offensive, though his language and demeanor probably reflect reality. James not spared criticism: It doesn't take time for him to switch from devout Christian to money-grabber. His turnaround is not quite satisfactorily explained. But Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, who plays James, is a delight to watch, and you can't take your eyes off his beautiful smile. Despite its drawbacks, James' Travel to Jerusalem is an engaging and poignant film, one that could only be done by an insider. -Marta Barber, MiamiHerald.com
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