Ido Haar's documentary focuses on a group of Palestinian construction workers building a new Israeli apartment complex—a modern, sophisticated structure that stands in stark contrast to the cardboard and tin shanty village where the poorly-paid workers spend the night (the title reflects the facetious nickname they give to their flimsy residence). The Palestinians are employed as illegal aliens, slipping back and forth through gaps in the separation fence in their pursuit of work, while trying to avoid capture by Israeli police. But despite the indignities of their situation (one impoverished worker picks through garbage in search of discarded toys for his nephew), the laborers have formed a caring, supportive, and fraternal community. Haar, an Israeli, is also welcomed into the circle, and shares their fate when the workers are forced to flee into the night during a raid on their shanty town by Israeli occupation forces (the men return to discover their shacks and belongings destroyed). The film undercuts its value somewhat by casually overlooking key issues at the root of this story: the fundamental lack of a sustainable Palestinian economy that could provide the men with steady work, Israel's disappearing blue collar workforce, and the fact that the presence of illegal Palestinian laborers is perhaps the worst-kept secret in Israel. Nonetheless, 9 Star Hotel is a sincere and moving portrait of men struggling against harsh circumstances well beyond their control. Recommended. (P. Hall)
9 Star Hotel
Koch Lorber, 78 min., in Arabic & Hebrew w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $26.98 Volume 23, Issue 3
9 Star Hotel
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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