Island News & Views
General · 17th October 2008
Friday Flicks
October 24th, 7:45, Quadra Community Centre
Israel/France – 2007 - PG
THE BAND'S VISIT, the directorial debut of Erin Kolirin, is a welcome departure from the usual heavy and sombre fare from Israel. A drama about isolation and communication, THE BAND'S VISIT is characterized both by strongly delineated characters and low-key comedy. The movie is not lightweight but it's often lighthearted.
The movie opens on a group of eight members of a brass band wearing impeccably tailored sky-blue uniforms. They've come from Egypt's Alexandrea Police Ceremonial Orchestra to play the concert of their lives at the opening of the Arab Cultural Center in Pet Hatikvah. One bus ride later, they find themselves lost in the streets of the near empty town “Bet” Hatikvah in the Israeli desert. The residents are so excited to have something - anything - to break the monotony that they're willing to overlook any cultural divisions.
The band must rely on the kindness of strangers, which allows first-time director Kolirin to unwrap the idiosyncrasies of human relationships. The focus and responsibility falls on band-leader Tawfiq (Gabai) and Israeli bar-owner Dina (Elkabetz) to help bridge the gap. Each gradually unpeels their emotional shield in the course of witty interplay peppered with both misunderstanding and sympathy. “It's the people, not the politics, that exist at the movie's focal point.” (Reelviews, Empire)
Israel/France – 2007 - PG
THE BAND'S VISIT, the directorial debut of Erin Kolirin, is a welcome departure from the usual heavy and sombre fare from Israel. A drama about isolation and communication, THE BAND'S VISIT is characterized both by strongly delineated characters and low-key comedy. The movie is not lightweight but it's often lighthearted.
The movie opens on a group of eight members of a brass band wearing impeccably tailored sky-blue uniforms. They've come from Egypt's Alexandrea Police Ceremonial Orchestra to play the concert of their lives at the opening of the Arab Cultural Center in Pet Hatikvah. One bus ride later, they find themselves lost in the streets of the near empty town “Bet” Hatikvah in the Israeli desert. The residents are so excited to have something - anything - to break the monotony that they're willing to overlook any cultural divisions.
The band must rely on the kindness of strangers, which allows first-time director Kolirin to unwrap the idiosyncrasies of human relationships. The focus and responsibility falls on band-leader Tawfiq (Gabai) and Israeli bar-owner Dina (Elkabetz) to help bridge the gap. Each gradually unpeels their emotional shield in the course of witty interplay peppered with both misunderstanding and sympathy. “It's the people, not the politics, that exist at the movie's focal point.” (Reelviews, Empire)