Phenomenal Israeli Films

Israeli films have long been the butt of jokes: pretty pathetic overall. This year, however, I have seen three incredible Israeli movies, including one just tonight. They are:

1) Sof Ha'Olam Smolah (Turn Left at the End of the World)
-This movie tells the story of immigrant Moroccan and Indian Jewish famillies who move to Israel in the 1960s, mainly through the eyes of the two 17 year old daughters. A bit long but funny and moving all the same.

2) LaLechet Al Ha Ma'im (Walk on Water)
-This movie, by American-Israeli director Eytan Fox, explores issues of the Holocaust, homosexuality, German-Jewish and Arab-Jewish relations. It tells the tale of a Mossad agent assigned to find a Nazi war criminal by befriending the Nazi's grandchildren. An absolutely brilliant plot with sensational acting.

3) HaKochavim Shel Shlomi (literally, "The Stars of Shlomi" but translated as "Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi")
-I just watched this tonight. It was incredible. It is the story of a Moroccan child prodigy who must take care of his comically dysfunctional family, but has a wonderful relationship with his grandfather. Part "Little Man Tate" and part "Good Will Hunting," the movie is touching and funny at the same time, with characters you fall in love with immediately. Really superb.

So go out and see these movies. They are awesome.