Disengagement (MOD) and Adoration (DVD)
I just saw two interesting but flawed films. Here are a (very) few words about each.
Disengagement is directed by Amos Gitai. It is a 2007 film but it is just now being released on Movies on Demand. I don't think it had a theatrical release in the US.
The story is interesting but the script is a bit muddled. The film starts off on a train. An Israeli soldier Uli (Liron Levo) is headed for France. He meets a Palestinian woman Hiam (Hiam Abbass) and they make a connection. The next thing we see is a dead man and a black woman (Barbara Hendricks) singing to him. We then realize that it is Ana's (Juliette Binoche) father. But Uli shows up and we find out the dead man is his father too. Well, step father as Uli was adopted by the man. After the funeral Uli has to go back to Israel because of the disengagement in the Gaza. The Israeli army is dismantling Jewish settlements in the Gaza. Ana finds out that the daughter (Dana Ivgy) she gave up so long ago is living in one of the settlements and she goes to Israel to try and find her.
The first section of the film is very good. But after that Abbass just disappears from the film. So what was the connection? I guess it is symbolic. Jeanne Moreau shows up in a brief scene and has very little to do. Too bad because she is such a great actress. Juliette Binoche is one of my favorite actresses and she is fine here but there is one scene where is is over acting. Gitai is a fine director and the scenes where he is showing the removal of the settlers is riveting. I just wish that that script was clearer in which direction it wanted this film to go in.
Adoration is directed by Atom Egoyan. It is also an interesting film that doesn't totally satisfy.
Simon (Devon Bostick) lost his parents in a car accident. He lives with his uncle Tom (Scott Speedman). His grandfather is dying. His grandfather tries to poison his mind by tell Simon that his father Sami (Noam Jenkins) killed his mother Rachel (Rachel Blanchard).
Simon's French teacher Sabine (Arsinee Khanjian) asks Simon to translate a story. Simon comes up with one about his father told his pregnant mother to travel to Israel. She is reluctant but she agrees to meet him there. Little does she know that he planted a bomb in her bag. This is not really true but it is spread around the internet and becomes a sensation. But it also does much harm.
Watching people's reaction to the story on the web was most intriguing. You wonder why Simon didn't stop this before it exploded. The film really delves into people's attitudes about Muslims and gives us much food for thought.The cast is good and Khanjian really shines.
I recommend these films for those of you who love world cinema that makes you think even though the end results are not perfect. At least these directors are making films that are more challenging than the usual studio crap.
Disengagement is directed by Amos Gitai. It is a 2007 film but it is just now being released on Movies on Demand. I don't think it had a theatrical release in the US.
The story is interesting but the script is a bit muddled. The film starts off on a train. An Israeli soldier Uli (Liron Levo) is headed for France. He meets a Palestinian woman Hiam (Hiam Abbass) and they make a connection. The next thing we see is a dead man and a black woman (Barbara Hendricks) singing to him. We then realize that it is Ana's (Juliette Binoche) father. But Uli shows up and we find out the dead man is his father too. Well, step father as Uli was adopted by the man. After the funeral Uli has to go back to Israel because of the disengagement in the Gaza. The Israeli army is dismantling Jewish settlements in the Gaza. Ana finds out that the daughter (Dana Ivgy) she gave up so long ago is living in one of the settlements and she goes to Israel to try and find her.
The first section of the film is very good. But after that Abbass just disappears from the film. So what was the connection? I guess it is symbolic. Jeanne Moreau shows up in a brief scene and has very little to do. Too bad because she is such a great actress. Juliette Binoche is one of my favorite actresses and she is fine here but there is one scene where is is over acting. Gitai is a fine director and the scenes where he is showing the removal of the settlers is riveting. I just wish that that script was clearer in which direction it wanted this film to go in.
Adoration is directed by Atom Egoyan. It is also an interesting film that doesn't totally satisfy.
Simon (Devon Bostick) lost his parents in a car accident. He lives with his uncle Tom (Scott Speedman). His grandfather is dying. His grandfather tries to poison his mind by tell Simon that his father Sami (Noam Jenkins) killed his mother Rachel (Rachel Blanchard).
Simon's French teacher Sabine (Arsinee Khanjian) asks Simon to translate a story. Simon comes up with one about his father told his pregnant mother to travel to Israel. She is reluctant but she agrees to meet him there. Little does she know that he planted a bomb in her bag. This is not really true but it is spread around the internet and becomes a sensation. But it also does much harm.
Watching people's reaction to the story on the web was most intriguing. You wonder why Simon didn't stop this before it exploded. The film really delves into people's attitudes about Muslims and gives us much food for thought.The cast is good and Khanjian really shines.
I recommend these films for those of you who love world cinema that makes you think even though the end results are not perfect. At least these directors are making films that are more challenging than the usual studio crap.
posted by Film Fanatic | 8:18 PM
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