MovieChat Forums > Hatufim (2010) Discussion > Why I like Hatufim

Why I like Hatufim

posted 9 years ago by skay_baltimore
4 replies | jump to latest

Unlike most other productions, Hatufim paints in small, powerful brush strokes, not sweeping, lazy one dimensional white washing. It tackles complex issues by meeting the complexity head on with exceptional character development, dramatic multi-layered story telling, and IMAGES -- like that scene with Uri taking apart the world map jigsaw puzzle. Or the scene of Yael taking down her sign and putting her brother's sign back up at the rescue shelter. Hatufim doesn't demonize; it doesn't glamorize; and it doesn't patronize. Rarely have I watched a TV series in which I felt some degree of empathy for all of the characters -- protagonists and antagonists alike. There is a magical quality to Hatufim. I sincerely hope there's a third season somewhere in the works. The show deserves it. And the audience deserves it.

Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

[–] justbobkc 9 years ago

I'm only in the 4th episode of Season 2 right now - but I admit that I find it just incredulous that a Jewish Israeli would be accepted into a Palestinian-Arab Muslim society/family as Ami is portrayed. The conflict between these 2 cultures is very much ethnic/racial and NOT just "religious" - and the characterization of all Jews as "sub-humans" (pigs, dogs, apes, etc. - common Eugenics language pre WWII in Germany, e.g.) in Palestinian culture is FAR greater than in the USA at it's own greatest racism period - against White women (especially) marrying African descendant men.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_the_Arab_world

[–] skay_baltimore 9 years ago

Fair enough. I also questioned the time frame -- 17 years. I thought it should have been more in the 7-10 year range. So some stretching of suspension of disbelief is/was definitely in order. I think I saw it from the point of view of the victory of having successfully re-programmed an infidel, and the power that comes from that act. But your point is well taken.

Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

[–] justbobkc 9 years ago

The 17 year timeframe is problematic as well for me.

Nevertheless I find the series very interesting and thought provoking in many, many ways. I also really just appreciate the Israeli scenery. Shows like "A.D. - The Bible Continues" was literally all shot in a desert somewhere - and that IS NOT anything like Jerusalem is today - and especially 2000 years ago when all the hills surrounding Jerusalem were pretty much covered in trees.

And I have been reading a lot of history on Eugenics (and Eugenics crimes) recently and just discovered a very informative (and scary) book:

https://play.google.com/books/reader?printsec=frontcover&output=reader&id=JkXJZtI9DQoC&pg=GBS.PA27

[–] pfarnell 8 years ago

yeah...good point.