A History of Israeli Cinema

Until recently, Israeli films received only minimal international distribution. But as this two-part documentary by Raphaël Nadjari demonstrates, cinema played a role in Israeli life even before the country's founding in 1948 and reflects changes in political attitudes as well as style. Composed of extended film clips accompanied by excerpts from interviews with filmmakers, producers, and actors, as well as critics and academics, A History of Israeli Cinema adopts a chronological approach to the subject. Covering 1932-1978, Part I notes that the promotion of Zionism was a central theme, resulting in works that espoused the establishment of a Jewish state and a new image of Jews as strong and determined. But beginning in the 1960s and escalating in the 1970s, films began to reflect criticism of the Zionist ideal, while also offering purely popular entertainment that came to be called “bourekas” comedies, as well as more artistic, sometimes surrealistic productions inspired by European art films. Part II (1978–2005) concentrates on expressions of an increasingly critical political tone, particularly in terms of more sympathetic treatment of Arabs and Palestinians, but also in the dramatization of the plight of marginalized populations such as homosexuals and minority immigrants. While Nadjari includes only sparse coverage of Israeli Arab filmmakers, this is a solid introduction to a national cinema that is often overlooked. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)