Lost Islands

Israeli writer-director Reshef Levi's early-‘80s set Lost Islands follows an unorthodox family of five brothers and their parents, who approach most difficult situations with humor and acceptance—or resignation in the case of the boys' father, Avraham (Shmil Ben Ari), a banker with a penchant for growing cactus. At the film's center are twin brothers Ofer (Oshri Cohen) and Erez (Michael Moshonov), who each fall for the spirited Neta (Yuval Scharf). Erez and Neta share an emotional intimacy—Neta becomes a repository for Erez's most secret thoughts—although it is Ofer she marries. When a car accident disables Avraham, Erez flees into the Israeli army, forcing Ofer—who wanted badly to serve in the military and become an officer—to stay home and help take care of their father. Set to a soundtrack of 1980s hit songs from Europe and the U.S., Lost Islands explores the price of unfulfilled dreams across generations and over years of unspoken disappointment. Recommended. (T. Keogh)