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“The Feast of Lots PURIM” (0:11) is a short, educational film produced by Israel Motion Picture Studios Herzliyah, and directed by S. Sternfeld. The film is part of a series, each starts on a book cover reading “Holidays in Israel” (0:06). The book opens to reveal the film title, and then the opening credits (0:18). Purim is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, as it is recounted in the Book of Esther (usually dated to the 5th century BCE).

When the film fades in again, there are children running (0:29) and playing in masks (0:35); a marching band goes by with children in costumes and playing tambourines (0:38). There are giraffes as well (0:44). An entertainer on stilts waves his very tall hat (0:48) at a wonderfully festive crowd at the zoo (0:54). The crowd is full of people in an astonishing array of masks and costumes (0:56). The monkeys are not the main attraction on this day (1:04). A cardboard robot is spotted in the crowd (1:05), while an acrobat holds an impressive handstand in front of a line of Israeli flags (1:09). One boy is dressed as a hospital patient, and is attended by a little girl dressed as his nurse (1:15). All this is happening alongside the giraffes and the fairground rides (1:22).

A shot of clowns in the crowd (1:46) cuts to a clown poster at a synagogue (1:50). The camera pans over to reveal a man conducting a choir, standing beside a table full of bread. Children in their Purim costumes are singing and chanting (2:01).

A group of boys are chanting together (2:06). A close-up of their book – possibly the Torah – with a silver yad, a traditional Torah pointer (2:08). Other children are reading from another book with the the Star of David on the cover, and the title in the Hewbrew script reading מגילת אסתר (Megillat Esther, “Book of Esther”) (2:16). Inside are illustrations telling the story of Purim (2:18).

From 2:21, the film shows footage from a Purim play. It features many young dancers; joyful choreography; and the pantomiming of various scenes from the story of the intoxicated King Ahasuerus (2:50), Mordecai the Jew (3:17), his beautiful niece, Esther (3:39), and the vengeful viceroy, Haman (4:11).

Elsewhere in the country, a crowd is thick in the middle of merrymaking and masquerading, skipping around in their costumes, holding hoops and other props (5:31). Many of these costumes are of a religious nature (5:45).

From 5:53, the film shows people lifting thin cloths to reveal gift baskets of fruits, bread, and other foods. These are the gifts of Purim. At 6:11, a group of people sit down together on the floor to enjoy an Israeli flatbread called laffa.

From 6:24, the film explains Adloyada – it is a large, public parade with masks and costumes; uniformed men on horses (6:42) and camels (6:44); marching bands (6:48); dancers (7:12); and giant parade floats featuring performers of all ages (7:23). More dancing at 8:06. The parade goes on and on – giant heads of well-known political figures pass by (8:53), as do hula hoopers (9:10); and there is much circle dancing (9:19).

The Adloyada continues until dark, as masked and costumed revelers enjoy this Purim holiday well into the evening (10:05). The film concludes with footage of an enormous number of people holding hands and dancing together in many circles (10:18); and at 10:38, we see the festival lights hanging above the cars waiting in traffic.

Fade out to the ending title card (10:47): “END, Made at Israel Motion Picture Studios Herzliyah.”

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com