Israeli Cinema

My all time favorite Israeli movie would have to be "Sallah Shabbati", although I don't know if many non-Israelis or people who haven't lived there for a long time would get it. It's a low budget, black and white 1960s slapstick comedy, with broad humor about a hapless North African Jewish immigrant to Israel and his attempts to get ahead in Israeli society by getting out of the "ma'abarah" (transit camp)and secure housing for his family through various cons. The movie is an affectionate criticism of Israeli society of the time, with glimpses of the culture clashes between the Middle eastern and North African Jews and the Ashkenazic Jews of European descent. Some PC people (the Israeli film scholar Maya Shohat, for instance) criticize the movie for its depiction of the "Oriental" Jewish communities and the fact that it used an actor of Ashkenazi descent (Topol, most famous for his portrayal of Tevye in the movie adaptation of "Fiddler on the Roof") as the lead, Sallah. But who cares what they say? The movie is funny, sweet and well meaning and was written and directed by one of Israel's greatest humorists, Ephraim Kishon.

Unfortunately, too many Israeli movies ARE political. Recently, a lot of attention and foreign distribution of films has been going to Amos Gitai, who maikes these heavy handed leaden dramas. Three of his films have been released in the US in the past few years, and I foolishly went to see all of them, just because I like to see movies in Hebrew language, but not because I like his movies. He has recently done "Kadosh" (which I thought was crap and totally biased against Orthodoxy, and mistaken on many counts) as well as "Kippur"
(battle field drama about the Yom Kippur war, slightly better than the former) and "Kedma". Of the three K movies, Kedma was the best, but a bit too much allegory and political grandtsanding, it's a film about Jewish refugees to Israel in 1948.

A totally non-political Israeli movie which I saw a few years back and is available on video and DVD is Klara he Kedosha, about some weird psychic Russian immigrant schoolgirl chick. It got acclaim, but I didn't "get" the movie.

I also thought this movie was fantastic and have been watching out for more great Israeli films. I recently saw 'Nina's Tradgedies.' It was great too!

"Summer of Aviya" is an old (1988) good movie about old (50s) not so good times with an incredible Kaipu Cohen. A must!

to complete the list above:

more of Kishon's films worth watching:
"The Policeman" ("Ha shoter Azulai")- A wonderfull and heart touching film that was also nominated for Oscar in the 60's

"The Big Dig" ("Te'alat Blaumilch")- funny to tears.a satire about the disasterous bureaucracy in Israel and actuelly everywhere else.

Other Films that i enjoyed watching:

i must mention again "Klara Ha kdosha" which is one of my favorites.

"Afula Express"

"Yana's Friends" ("Ha Chaverim Shel Yana")

"Sh'Chur"

"Desperado Square" ("Kikar Ha Halomot")

"The Revenge of Itzik Finkelstein" ("Nikmato Shel Itzik Finkelstein")

"Beitar Provence"

"Time of Favor" ("Ha Hesder")

"Beyond the Walls" ("Me'Ahorei Hasoragim")

"The Troupe" ("Ha Lahaka")

"99 Dizengoff Street"

"Tel Aviv Stories" ("Sipurei Tel-Aviv")

"Life According to Agfa" ("Ha Chayim Al-Pi Agfa")

"Cup Final" ("Gmar Gavi'a")

"Ricochets" ("Shtei Etzbaot Mi'Tzidon")

some other films i yet havent had the chance to watch but suppose to be good:

"Campfire" ("Medurat Hashevet")

"Love Sick" ("Hole Ahava B'Shikun Gimel")

I would also have added to the list some great T.V serieses but i doubt they are available outside Israel.


hope it would be helpfull

Israeli culture is wide.
If you want to laugh and discover the beginning of Israel :
Try a bit of luck (Tipat Mazal)

Very funny film from a moroccan family going to Israel.

Late Mariage also is a good comedy !!

Israeli films are an oddity in my country (México), but thanx to the universality of DVD's more and more titles from exotic countries are becoming available everywhere.
Anyway during a film festival like 15 years ago I remember seeing some very good israeli movies from Moshé Mizrahi ("I love you Rosa", "The House on Chelouche Street") and Ephraim Kishon ("Sallah", "The Policeman").

Since then and until the last 3-4 years I never heard of any other israeli film. But recently I've get to see "Kedma", "Ushpizin" and "Broken Wings".
I really want to see "Beaufort", but it's not yet available on DVD.

I have to second the rec for "Beitar Provence" (also featuring Dana Ivgy), as well as "Or" / "Mon Tresor" (starring Dana Ivgy). Lastly, "The Band's Visit". The original poster asked for non-political recs, so these three would be mine.