Ever Shot Anyone?

Israeli feminist Michal Aviad joins a troop of army reservists during their annual tour of duty in the Golan Heights. Her stated aim is to dissect the components of the Israeli male identity through their behavior in the army reserves. While the Israeli men see this assignment more as a happy annual reunion than as a tour of duty, Ms. Aviad sees it as a perfect chance to bash male bonding, camaraderie, and army nostalgia. Her mostly negative observations don't quite carry the ring of truth, and one wonders if Ms. Aviad isn't just a bit jealous of the men's friendships and ability to speak about their feelings. Given all the sexism and cover-up in the U.S. army today, it was refreshing to find a group of Israeli army reservists who come across as direct, honest and thoughtful; they don't quite fit the negative male stereotype the filmmaker so badly wants to assign them. In more loving hands, this work could have had much greater depth than it does. For the price, it's a decidedly optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (R. Ray)