A Place in Heaven

This Israeli film opens with a young man searching for a rabbi who had served in the military with his war-hero father decades prior. The father, nicknamed Bambi and now an old man, is facing death, and the rabbi is in possession of his soul, which will prevent Bambi from entering heaven. The circumstances behind the acquisition—long ago, the cocksure, secular Bambi (Alon Aboutboul) traded his soul to the rabbi, who was then a military cook, for a month's supply of freshly-prepared spicy omelets—and the winding events that shape Bambi's life up to his last days drive director Yosi Madmoni's drama, but they are more than simple plot devices. A Place in Heaven uses Bambi's experiences to serve up an allegorical tale about the Jewish/Israeli experience, from biblical days up through the country's wartime conflicts and into the present, while also commenting on the nature of faith and belief, the rigors of parenthood, and the family dynamic—especially when a father and son find themselves at odds on religion. Nominated for 10 Israeli Academy Awards including best screenplay, best actress, and best cinematography (capturing vast countryside vistas that are particularly breathtaking), this is recommended. (P. Morehart)