Industry figures and movie buffs attending the seventh annual Moscow Film Festival had a reminder of the plight of Jewish film artists and technicians who have been harassed by Soviet officialdom because they applied for visas to emigrate to Israel, it was reported here today. A letter signed by 67 Moscow Jews addressed to the Film Festival, was made available to Western newsmen. It appealed for support “in defense of our infringed right–the right to live with our own people in Israel.” The letter noted that “Among Jews who have been refused permission to go to Israel are your colleagues–movie director Mikhail Kolik; poet and screen-writer David Markish; cameraman Semyo Mak and others.” Kolik, once praised for his ability, is now in official disgrace. The 44-year-old director has been expelled from the Soviet Cinematographers Organization for requesting permission to go to Israel.
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