Aaron Davidman's WRESTLING JERUSALEM Goes from Stage to Screen

Aaron Davidman's innovative one-man play Wrestling Jerusalem, which has toured NORTH AMERICA for four years including multiple sold-out performances at 59E59 in New York City in 2016, has made the leap to the silver screen in a film directed by Dylan Kussman and will have its New York theatrical premiere at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space.

The film stars actor-writer Aaron Davidman in an unforgettable performance playing multiple characters - 17 in all - all embodying the frustrations, hope, dreams and fears ever present in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"In these times of extreme polarization," said Davidman, "I wanted to make a film that would challenge those on the left, right and center to encounter nuanced multiple-perspectives in one sitting, so that we might reconnect to the shared humanity that lives at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

This timely cinematic adaption and tour-de-force performance brings necessary life to the ancient question... Why can't we have peace?

Wrestling Jerusalem's return to New York gives those who were unable to snag tickets to the sold-out performances at 59E59 a chance to catch this provocative film on the big screen.

The San Jose Mercury News called the film "a tour-de-force for the actor/writer, but one made all the better due to its director," while Davidman has been featured on NPR's The Hidden Brain and on KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny.

Kussman, known primarily for his portrayal of Richard Cameron in Dead Poet's Society, has an acting career spanning several decades as an actor (TV's Vital Signs. Flght, Jack Reacher, X-Men 2) and writer (2017's The Mummy). Wrestling Jerusalem marks his feature film directorial debut.

POST SCREENING CONVERSATIONS:

(SCHEDULE IN PROGRESS)

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12

Ethan Bronner leads a conversation with director Dylan Kussman, writer/actor Aaron Davidman and executive producer Jeannie Blaustein. Ethan Bronner is a senior editor at Bloomberg News focused on analytical and investigative pieces. He spent 17 years at The New York Times, including serving as Jerusalem bureau chief. He was also based in Jerusalem for The Boston Globe in the early 90s and for Reuters in the mid-80s.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15 - COMPLEX STORYTELLING IN A POLARIZED WORLD

Ari Roth, artistic director of Mosaic Theatre of DC, leads a conversation with other artists, including Philip Himberg, artistic director of the Sundance Institute Theatre Program.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17 - COMPETING NARRATIVES AND THE INTERFAITH CONVERSATION

Rabbi Amichai Lay-Lavi leads faith leaders from Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions in a discussion of the film.

ABOUT THE FILM:

WRESTLING JERUSALEM

Cast: Aaron Davidman

Director: Dylan Kussman

Written by: Aaron Davidman

Producers: Aaron Davidman and Dylan Kussman

Executive Producers: Jeannie Blaustein, Peter Bokorand Dan Cohn

Theatrical Engagement: September 12 -18, Leonard Nimoy Thalia At Symphony Space; 7:30pm; Tickets: www.symphonyspace.org/event/9715/Film/wrestling-jerusalem-new-york-premiere

Genre: Drama

Running Time:1:33

Rating: Unrated

Language: English

For more about the film, follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wrestlingjerusalem, Twitter: twitter.com/jerusalemfilm, and Instagram: wrestlingjerusalem.

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