Israeli celebrities painted Tel Aviv red Tuesday night at the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Lev Cinema.
The date – April 28 – is even a few days ahead of the US release of the film, which goes to theaters on Friday, May 1. Israel’s top movie executives say with the Iran-Israel war ending just weeks ago, it feels like the stars aligned for the red-carpet event.
The film held its world premiere on April 20 at Lincoln Center in New York City with the first official screening of the movie anywhere being shown in front of the cast, filmmakers, and global press.
“The bigger films are now releasing in Israel and the US simultaneously… you know, everything is global and this is not a film we would hold off from our audience,” said Ilana Nozik, general manager for Forum Film. “I’m super excited. I’m trembling.”
“We’ve been talking about it and planning it for so long and we didn’t know whether it’s going to happen or not. Will the worst stop or not?”
The premiere featured themed cocktails and multiple floors of step-and-repeats so that Israeli singers, actresses, Tik-Tokers and producers could snap photos on their way to the theater. Four-hundred people showed up in glam.
The fashion delivered just as much drama as the film itself. In a clear nod to The Devil Wears Prada’s iconic branding, the carpet was awash in bold splashes of red – seen in everything from strapless leather dresses to bright bags and belts. Guests leaned all the way in: classic black-and-white ensembles with collars gave the night a polished, editorial feel, while others pushed boundaries with slinky silhouettes, big black bows, and high-gloss finishes. There was a sense that this wasn’t just a movie premiere – it was a celebratory moment of international culture.
Famed actress Hana Laszlo, socialite and luxury event producer Irit Rahamim, and fashion influencer Emily Kuper were just some of the faces photographers tried to capture on their way to the screening. Einat Sarouf, Israeli folk singer and actress brought her granddaughter to the event. She was ecstatic to be among fellow creatives out on the town.
“It’s like I’m in a dream. We know that in a minute it can stop again. I know that. Everybody knows that.”
“Yesterday I was in Eilat, I sang for 1,000 people – a show that was meant to be last month when there was war,” Sarouf explained. “I love that they are doing this. They insist on doing cultural things. It’s very important. Because our enemy wants us to close everything – close the shops and close the culture. We will not do that.”
Referencing Israeli songwriter Naomi Shemer, she enthusiastically cheered, “You will not beat me!”
A new era of influence, power, and online survival
The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites powerhouse performers Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt, with Stanley Tucci also returning as creative force Nigel, as the fashion world evolves into a high-stakes digital battlefield. The sequel follows Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of the Vogue-inspired Runway magazine, navigating the decline of traditional print media while facing off against a now-powerful Emily Charlton, her one-time assistant who has risen in the luxury advertising world. Journalist and protagonist Andy Sachs, having built a successful career in writing, is pulled back into Miranda’s orbit as the industry – and their relationships – are forced to adapt to a new era of influence, power, and online survival.
As the lights dimmed inside Lev Cinema at 9 p.m., the film was announced and the excitement began. With Hebrew subtitles on screen, the opening scenes of The Devil Wears Prada 2 began to play, the audience leaned forward – ready, like the rest of the world would soon be, to re-enter a story they love.
There were many moments of laughter, and some internal Hebrew conversations about the antics and glossy garments on screen. Viewers said the film was fun, nostalgic and feel-good. They left the watch party and fashion event in high spirits. The film can be seen in theaters across Israel.
And this time, Israelis are getting it first.■
Source:
www.jpost.com
