The film takes place in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War in which Egypt and Syria launched attacks in Sinai and the Golan Heights. The story is told from the perspective of Israeli soldiers. We are led by Weinraub and his friend Ruso on a day that begins with quiet city streets, but ends with death, destruction and devastation of both body and mind.
Various scenes are awash in the surreal, as Weinraub's head hangs out over a rescue helicopter's open door, watching with tranquil desperation as the earth passes beneath, the overpowering whir of the blades creating a hypnotic state. It is not a traditional blood, guts and glory film. There are no men in battle, only the rescue crew trying to pick up the broken pieces.
One of the survivors remembers...
Won 2000 Israeli Film Academy - Best Sound
Nominee 2000 Israeli Film Academy
- Best Art Direction
- Best Costume Design
- Best Director
- Best Film
Won 2000 Cannes Film Festival - Francois Chalais Award
Nominee 2000 Cannes Film Festival - Golden Palm
Nominee 2001 Political Film Society, USA - PFS Peace Award
2000 Israel Drama/War, Hebrew with English, Russian, French & Arabic Subtitles
About 120 mins
Directed by Amos Gitai
Writing credits Amos Gitai, Marie-Jose Sanselme
cast:
Liron Levo.... Weinraub
Tomer Russo.... Ruso
Uri Klauzner.... Klausner (as Uri Ran-Klausner)
Yoram Hattab.... The Pilot
Guy Amir.... Gadassi
Juliano Mer.... The Captain
Ran Kauchinsky.... Shlomo
Kobi Livne.... Kobi
Liat Glick.... Dina (as Liat Glick Levo)
Pini Mittleman.... Hospital Doctor
Meital Barda
Gidi Gov