Best Israeli Films, Documentaries and TV Series of 2019

Here is my “Best Films” list for 2019! 

Please note that most of these films have been reviewed on this website, and therefore more details are available by clicking on the hot link for each film title.

I have chosen to put the films together by subject matter, and therefore feature films, documentaries and TV series are mixed together!

Happy viewing!

Shedding Light on the Phenomenon of Right-wing Extremists within Israeli Society

·        Incitement, directed by Yaron Zilberman.  Since I have been living in New York for a few months, I haven’t had a chance to see this one, but it is Israel’s Ophir prize winner (like the Israeli Academy awards), so I am including it here.  The film tells the story of Yigal Amir, the Jewish extremist who assassinated Yitzhak Rabin at a peace rally in Tel Aviv on Nov. 4, 1995.   According to what I’ve read, the film provides a look at this young man’s background and upbringing, and at the same time, it provides a glimpse at contemporary Israeli politics. (Nov. 5, 2019, Times of Israel).

·        Our Boys, a TV series of 10 episodes, created by Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar and Tawfik Abu-Wael. Focusing on a shocking and repulsive kidnapping and murder of a Palestinian teenage boy, perpetrated by Jewish terrorists, this TV series deals with serious ethical and political issues within Israeli society. It questions the upbringing these terrorists received as part of their growing up within the religious ultra-orthodox community in Jerusalem. Available for bingeing on HBO or Keshet.

Additional Political Issues

•          Tel Aviv on Fire directed by Sameh Zoabi. Award-winning feature film which is a superb satire about the absurdity of the Occupation and the humiliation of the checkpoints. 

•          Advocate, directed by Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe Bellaiche.  Documentary story of the veteran human rights lawyer, Leah Tsemel, who has been defending Palestinians since she became a lawyer back in the 1960s.

•         The Unrecognized directed by Anna Oliker.  Documentary which tells an important story about the issue of the demolition of Bedouin villages in the northern Negev. 

•          Begin: The Leadership Years, directed by Levi Zini. Fascinating three-part documentary series about the vision and legacy of Menachem Begin.

Post-traumatic Stress

·        When Eagles Fly directed by Omri Givon, based on a novel by Amir Guttfreund. TV series of 10 episodes in Hebrew and Spanish with English subtitles, a complex and gripping thriller about a group of Israeli soldiers who served together in combat during the 2006 Second War in Lebanon. Available for bingeing on Netflix.

Comedy

•         Love in Suspenders (Ahavah B'Shleikes) directed by Yohanan Weller. A sentimental romantic comedy about a woman in her 60s who falls in love with a man in his 70s. 

•        The Mossad directed by Alon Gur Aryeh. A spoof about undercover agents, spies and ridiculous bureaucrats. The story is about a Mossad agent who undertakes to stop a terrorist organization planning to destroy the world.

Gender Issues – Fiction and Non-fiction

·        Working Woman directed by Michal Aviad. A feature film about sexual harassment in the workplace.  This film was also on my 2018 list of “Best Films”, but I have decided to include it here again because it actually received distribution in 2019.

•         Transkids, directed by Hilla Medalia. Documentary about four trans teenagers who are grappling with their gender identity. 

A Family Story

•         God of the Piano directed by Itay Tal. An effective and compelling feature film about music, musical talent and a mother’s obsession! 

Best Films of 2018

Here is my list of the ten best films of 2018 --

Please note that all of these films have been reviewed on this website.  In order to read more about them, find them arranged alphabetically by title in the index on the left side of the screen. 

Feature Films

• Shelter by Eran Riklis -- a thriller about the intense relationship that develops between a Palestinian woman informer and her Mossad female protector.
• Laces (Shoelaces) by Yankul Goldwasser -- the relationship between a father and his special needs son.
• Working Woman by Michal Aviad -- sexual harassment in the workplace.

Feature Films that take place within the context of Haredi Society

• The Other Story by Avi Nesher -- a young woman who has recently become haredi and her relationship with her parents.
• The Unorthodox by Eliran Malka -- the establishment and rise of the Shas political party.
• Geula (Redemption) by Joseph Madmony and Boaz Yehonatan Yacov -- a man forms a band to play at haredi weddings in order to pay for his daughter’s chemotherapy.
• Driver by Yehonatan Indursky -- a man who makes a living driving needy people around town to the homes of wealthy people to ask for money.

Documentaries

• The Oslo Diaries by Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan -- the historic Israeli-Palestinian peace process in the early 1990s.
• Wall by Moran Ifergan offers both the filmmaker’s personal story and a look at multiple issues of contemporary Israel.
• One Last Bedtime Story by Anat Zeltser and Modi Bar-on -- a TV documentary series about Hebrew children’s literature.

Best Films of 2017

Here is my list of "best films". 
Since all of these films have been reviewed on this blog, you can check out the hot links for in-depth reviews!
Happy New Year!

Best Films of 2017

          Everything is Broken Up and Dances, starring and directed by Nony Geffen - a difficult film about a young man suffering from PTSD, about living with war and getting on with life.

In Between (Bar Bahar) -- Maysaloun Hamoud -- a compelling story about three Palestinian Israeli women, who are caught between their traditional society and the allure of the independent and open lifestyle of Tel Aviv.

An Israeli Love Story – Dan Wolman - a tragic, yet overwhelmingly compelling story, set during the tumultuous period of the end of the British Mandate. 

The Cakemaker – Ofir Raul Graizer -  a surprisingly tender romantic story about a German man who runs a coffee shop in Berlin. 

Foxtrot  - Samuel Maoz --  a brilliant and provocative prize-winning film which offers a shocking and effective cinematic criticism of the military establishment.

Longing – Savi Gabizon – a touching story of family and bereavement.  

Maktub – Oded Raz – a sentimental story about good deeds and helping make people’s wishes come true, starring two wonderfully ethnic characters!

Norman, The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer -- Joseph Cedar - starring Lior Ashkenazi and Richard Gere - a hard-hitting look at the relationship between American Jewry and the political leadership of Israel. 

Scaffolding - Matan Yair –  a story about Israeli high school kids who have been categorized as illiterate and also about a teacher who succeeds in making a difference in the lives of these kids.

       And the TV series –
 

Fauda -- Assaf Bernstein – an action series about an elite unit doing undercover work in the West Bank.  

Best Films of 2016

It’s that time of year!  Here is my lineup of my favorite Israeli films of the past year.

All of them are wonderful films and not to be missed!

Feature Films

• ·        Junction 48 - directed by Udi Aloni and featuring Arab rapper, Tamer Nafar.  About the frustrations of living in a divided society, and about the meeting point between Israelis and Palestinians within Israeli society.

• ·        Sand Storm – directed by Elite Zexer – about Bedouin women living in the northern Negev, this is a gritty and authentic picture of life for the women, a prizewinner at Sundance.   

• ·        Through the Wall – directed by Rama Burshtein (Fill the Void) - an impressive comedy drama about providence, faith, matchmaking, and a woman’s desire for marriage, all on the backdrop of life within the haredi (ultra-orthodox) community in Israel. 

• ·        Past Life – directed by veteran filmmaker, Avi Nesher (Dizengoff ‘99, Secrets, Turn Left at the End of the World, Wonders) – tells the story of two sisters in 1970s Israel who unravel the dark mystery of their father’s life during the Holocaust, based on the true story of Ella Sheriff.

• ·        The Women’s Balcony (Yismach Hatani) -- Emil Ben Shimon’s debut film about the Sephardi modern Orthodox community in Jerusalem, a warning about the dangers of religious fanaticism.

• ·        One Week and a Day - Asaph Polonsky’s debut feature - winner of the Critics' Week award at Cannes 2016, a quirky tragi-comedy about fathers and sons, family issues, and bereavement.

Documentaries

• ·        Presenting Princess Shaw -- directed by Ido Haar – triumphant story of how an African American singer goes viral when she is discovered on-line by Kutiman, an Israeli musical phenomenon.

• ·        Who's Gonna Love Me Now? -- directed by Barak Heymann and Tomer Heymann – a soul-searching documentary about Saar Maoz, a 40-year-old Israeli gay man living in London.

• ·        Café Nagler -- directed by Mor Kaplansky – creative documentary story of a Jewish family in 1920s Berlin. 

• ·        Photo Farag– directed by Kobi Farag - about a family from Baghdad, who emigrated to Israel in the 1950s, and eventually became successful in their family business of wedding and events photography.

• ·        Ben Gurion – Epilogue – directed by Yariv Mozer – about an extraordinary visionary, who he was and what he believed.

• ·        Tel Aviv Live – directed by Nellu Cohen -- a stupendous film about art and artists and about what is unique in the culture of a city.

My Favorite Classics

If you have missed any of these Israeli film classics, the upcoming holiday season might be a time to catch up!  This is NOT an all-inclusive list, but it does provide you with one-stop shopping!  All of these classic Israeli films are highly recommended.

These great classics are available from the National Centerfor Jewish Film 

• ·        Blind Man’s Bluff, Aner Preminger, 1993 – the story of a professional young woman who must learn to live not only by the expectations of others but also according to her own needs.
• ·        House on Chelouche St., Moshe Mizrachi, 1973 – the story of a teenage boy coming of age, set against the background of tension and conflict during the period of the British Mandate, immediately before the War of Independence.
• ·        I Love You Rosa, Moshe Mizrachi, 1972 – nominated for an Oscar, a love story set during the late 19^th century in Jerusalem.
• ·        Kazablan, Menahem Golan, 1973 – fast-paced, full-fledged musical, highlighted by scenes of marvelously choreographed frenetic dancing, which tells the story of an immigrant from Morocco living in the old slum of Jaffa.

In addition, I recommend these one-hour films also from the collection of the National Center for Jewish Film

• ·        Documentary: Green Dumpster Mystery, Tal Haim Yaffe, 2008 -- In an ostensibly light tone, which balances the serious subjects in the film -- history and memory, Holocaust and bereavement -- the film tells the story of the director himself, who as he rode his scooter through south Tel Aviv, found a stash of old photographs in a dumpster.  In the wake of this find, he sets out on a quest to find the people in the photos. 
• ·        Short Drama: As If Nothing Happened, Ayelet Barger, 1999 – hard-hitting film about what happens in one family following a terrorist attack.

These are available from the IsraeliFilms website

• ·        Cup Final, Eran Riklis, 1991 – takes place during the 1982 War in Lebanon and explores the themes of male bonding during wartime, and the relationship between captor and captive.
• ·        Fictitious Marriage (Marriage of Convenience), Haim Bouzaglo, 1988 – explores issues of identity and distrust between Arabs and Jews, a satire containing humorous caricatures of people who want to be what they are not. 
• ·        Halfon Hill Doesn’t Answer, Assi Dayan, 1976 – featuring the Gashash comedy trio, this is a comedy about reserve duty.
• ·        He Walked Through the Fields, Yosef Milo, 1967 – Originally presented as a stage play in 1948, tells the story of the heroism of the Palmach generation and the pioneering ethic of self-sacrifice. 
• ·        Late Summer Blues, Renen Schorr, 1987 – a sensitive coming-of-age story which portrays the issues of graduating from high school in an atmosphere of ongoing war. 
• ·        Life According to Agfa, Assi Dayan, 1992 – Set in a Tel Aviv pub, this apocalyptic satire portrays a violent nightmare that takes place as a result of society’s ills.
• ·        Passover Fever, Shemi Zarhin, 1994 – authentically evoked drama about the dysfunctional family that one might find anywhere at holiday time. 
• ·        Summer of Aviya, Eli Cohen, 1988 – internationally acclaimed drama about a child growing up with a mother who is forever tortured by her Holocaust memories, and its sequel, Under the Domim Tree, Eli Cohen, 1995—portrays the painful struggles of a group of survivor children all living together in a boarding school. 
• ·        A Tale of Love and Darkness, Natalie Portman, 2015 -- based on the autobiographical book by Amos Oz about his growing up in Jerusalem during the end of the British Mandatory period and the early years of the state. 
• ·        Tel Aviv Stories, Ayelet Menahemi and Nirit Yaron, 1992 – three short stories about women.  The third story, Divorce (Get), is about a woman willing to resort to desperate means in response to anachronistic rabbinic laws.
• ·        The Troupe (Sing Your Heart Out), Avi Nesher, 1979 – a musical comedy about the army entertainment troupe.
• ·        The Wooden Gun, Ilan Moshenson, 1979 – a deep psychological struggle is portrayed through the games of children, on the backdrop of the period following independence.
• ·        Walk on Water, Eytan Fox, 2004 – internationally acclaimed film about the emotional baggage that an Israeli Mossad agent carries as a result of his ongoing work. 
• ·        Yana’s Friends, Arik Kaplun, 1999 – takes place against the backdrop of the Gulf War, portrays a variety of quirky characters and reflects the difficulties of new immigrants in a foreign land.

Best Israeli Films of 2015

It's time for my list of the best Israeli films of 2015.  With best wishes for a healthy and safe New Year to all! 

BEST FEATURE FILMS -- there were so many feature films produced this year!  Here are the highlights!

Films about the Individual and the Family

• ·         Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem by Ronit and Shlomi Alkabetz - I listed this one in 2014, but it actually received distribution this year, and it's worth including over and over!  A courtoom drama that portrays a critical look at the rabbinical establishment which is so harsh in its treatment of women who request a divorce.
• ·         A Tale of Love and Darkness by Natalie Portman, based on the autobiographical work by Amos Oz which deals with growing up in Jerusalem during the end of the British Mandatory period and the early years of the State.
• ·         Kind Words by Shemi Zarhin - a charming and complex family drama.
• ·         Next to Her by Asaf Korman - an emotional story about caring for a mentally-challenged sister.
• ·         Afterthought by Elad Keidan - a quirky comedy about friendship and betrayal which takes place as two men in Haifa intersect, one walking up the mountain and the other walking down.
• ·         Baba Joon by Yuval Delshad - a story of a Jewish family of Iranian descent living on a religious moshav during the 1980s.

Films on the background of the National/Political Story

• ·         A.K.A. Nadia by Tova Ascher - a film about a Palestinian woman who hides her identity and marries a Jewish man.
• ·         Sabena Hijacking by Rani Sa'ar - the story of the hijacking of the Sabena airliner in 1972.
• ·         Wounded Land by Erez Tadmor - about how people react in the wake of a suicide bombing.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILMS - This year included many high quality documentary films, dealing with fascinating subject matter!

• ·         Mr. Gaga by Tomer Heyman - story of Ohad Naharin, world-renowned and critically acclaimed choreographer and artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company.
•         Women in Sink by Iris Zaki - an insightful and honest look at Arab and Jewish women living in Haifa as they talk while having their hair done at a local salon.
• ·         Rabin in His Own Words by Erez Laufer - an inspiring look at Rabin's public and private lives.
• ·         Thru You Princess by Ido Haar - about Kutiman, an Israeli musical phenomenon, and his discovery of an African-American singer, Princess Shaw, and how he makes her into a star.
• ·         Rock in the Red Zone by Laura Bialis - about the making of music as a therapeutic tool while under constant missile attack in Sderot.
• ·         The Bentwich Syndrome by Gur Bentwich - the story of an Anglo-Jewish family, the descendants of Sir Herbert Bentwich.
• ·         Censored Voices by Mor Loushy - based on the post 1967 war interviews for a book, entitled The Seventh Day, this film raises issues of morality during wartime.
• ·         Arab Movie by Eyal Sagui Bizawe and Sara Tsifroni - about Israel's TV screening of a weekly Egyptian movie on Friday afternoons during the 1970s and 80s.

All of the films listed here have been reviewed on this blog.  Just go to the column on the left-hand side and click on what interests you!

Best Israeli Feature Films of 2014

It's that time of year, when I choose my favorite feature films of the year!  Happy New Year!

There were about 35 new feature films that premiered in Israel this year!  Many of the films were made by or about women.  Some were political.  Some were historical.  The following are the ones that I think were the best!! 

Political Statements

• ·         Dancing Arabs by Eran Riklis - drama about issues of identity of Israeli Arabs, based on a book by Israeli columnist and author, Sayed Kashua
• ·         Self-Made by Shira Gefen - political drama about two women and a checkpoint
• ·         Sweets by Joseph Pitchhadze - political drama

About Women

• ·         Orange People by Hannah Azoulai-Hasafari -- ethnic drama about superstition
• ·         Zero Motivation by Talya Lavie - comedy about women in the military
• ·         Gett by Ronit and Shlomi Elkabetz -- courtroom drama about a woman applying for a divorce which can only be granted by the ultra-orthodox rabbinate

Family Issues

• ·         Hill Start by Oren Stern - comedy about father-son relations
• ·         The Farewell Party by Tal Granit and Sharon Maymon - about growing old

Migrant Workers

• ·         Manpower by Noam Kaplan - about African refugees and migrant workers

Historical Drama

• ·         Farewell Baghdad by Nissim Dayan -- about the Jewish community of Baghdad during the period immediately following the establishment of the State of Israel, based on the best-selling novel by well-known Israeli author, Eli Amir