"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

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

A Family Comedy

Big Leagues (ליגה של גדולים), directed by Yaniv Berman, is a feel-good, family comedy for those who enjoy soccer! 

This week, during the war against Iran and against Hizbollah, I went with my grandkids to see a family movie.  The movie theaters are mostly underground at Yes Planet in Jerusalem, so they are considered relatively safe.  We all enjoyed ourselves and came out with a smile on our faces.  Don’t expect too much depth from this one!

Our hero, played by Yisrael Attias (who we know from the TV hit, HaShababnikim), is a professional soccer coach who has a problem with anger management.  After an incident in which he attacks the referee, he is sent as punishment to the periphery of the country where he is meant to coach a junior high team.

Of course, he is antagonistic to the whole enterprise and, at first, refuses to even attempt to make this work.  But eventually the kids, the team spirit, one particular woman, and the smalltown lifestyle of this northern town, all contribute to his becoming committed to his newfound role.

At a time when Hizbollah rockets and Iranian missiles are falling in the north of Israel, this film, partially about the lure of living in the Galilee, proved to be especially poignant.

Big Leagues is produced by Transfax and distributed by United King.

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