"World Cinema: Israel"

My book, "World Cinema: Israel" (originally published in 1996) is available from Amazon on "Kindle", with an in-depth chapter comparing and analyzing internationally acclaimed Israeli films up to 2010.

Want to see some of the best films of recent years? Just scroll down to "best films" to find listings of my recommendations.

amykronish@gmail.com

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Red Alert - a new TV series about the events of October 7th

Red Alert, directed by Lior Hefetz, is a heart-rending television drama series, produced by Keshet channel 12 in Israel and currently streaming on Paramount+.

Based on actual events and personal stories, this series tells the painful story of the Hamas invasion of southern Israel, the massacre of civilians, and taking of hostages on October 7, 2023. The story unfolds like a thriller – compelling, distressing and so-very realistic with in-depth characterizations. For some, the story is still too raw and watching this series might be too difficult.  For others, it will provide just what is needed to process the terrible events of that day.

There are four parallel stories.  There is a family living in Nir Oz – parents and three children.  They can’t lock the door to their safe room and they are shivering with fear as they hear the nearby shouting and shooting and read the messages on their phones from their neighbors. There is the couple who are both police officers.  The wife, Nofar, is working at the Nova festival.  Her husband, Kobi, is trying desperately to save her. Itamar is a combat soldier, who runs out of his home in Ofakim to help defend his neighborhood against the terrorists.  Meanwhile, his middle-aged mother, Tali, begins to bravely ferry the wounded to an evacuation point.  Ayub, a Muslim from Gaza, living in Israel, is driving in his car with his wife and infant son.  When the terrorists shoot at his car and his pregnant wife is killed, he runs with his baby and hides in a roadside shelter.

These are stories of heroism and sacrifice.  A father willing to sacrifice to protect his family.  A husband willing to run into battle to rescue his wife.  A middle-aged woman taking risks trying to evacuate the wounded. An Arab man running to warn the IDF troops of terrorists waiting in ambush.

Almost 1200 people were slaughtered that day.  And close to 250 were taken hostage.  These are real stories which will help us to enshrine the memory of that day.  They will bring tears to your eyes.

 

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