The fictional dramedy about a young Eritrean refugee who escapes deportation in a case of mistaken identity earns a few laughs while exposing some tough realities about migrant life
What a wonderful review. The synopsis is intriguing. A must see. I love your description of the MC’s emotional arc combined with the Lasso type humor.
The first movie released after Oct 7. Sigh. I can’t imagine. Israelis must have been quite ready for an escape into a theatre and taken on a journey so they could forget for 2 hours. 😞
Thank you. The director, whose English was so-so, hence this word choice being lost in translation described the film’s effect on Israelis post 10/7 as a “pill” - meaning almost like an elixir that makes everything happier and more positive, at least for a brief moment of escape from daily horrors. Israelis love their football teams and apparently Maccabi Netanya was chosen as it’s the most neutral team
This sounds like an important film for the times we are living in where so many seem to lack empathy for the immigrant/refugee experience and are reverting back to a xenophobic mindset. I really appreciated your analysis about how the main character sort of uplifts everyone around him due to his positive demeanour which though it may on the surface appear pleasant is reflective of the fact that he has to live up to a higher standard so as to not be found out.
Thanks Matthew. Appreciate your feedback. It made me question to the point about him having to always live beyond reproach, psychologically what this does to a person after a while. How can they live authentically? Who really knows him? Even his friend Nigel who he can be the most real with doesn’t really know him either. He conceals and this concealing also will boil over eventually.
It’s a great point. You’re right. At the screening this question came up and it’s not available on streaming platforms unfortunately. Now this could change. I know they are trying to figure out distribution! Stay tuned my friend.
What a wonderful review. The synopsis is intriguing. A must see. I love your description of the MC’s emotional arc combined with the Lasso type humor.
The first movie released after Oct 7. Sigh. I can’t imagine. Israelis must have been quite ready for an escape into a theatre and taken on a journey so they could forget for 2 hours. 😞
Thank you. The director, whose English was so-so, hence this word choice being lost in translation described the film’s effect on Israelis post 10/7 as a “pill” - meaning almost like an elixir that makes everything happier and more positive, at least for a brief moment of escape from daily horrors. Israelis love their football teams and apparently Maccabi Netanya was chosen as it’s the most neutral team
The story of the film's release is just as heartwarmingly compelling as the story in the film.
I'm curious as to which languages the film's characters communicate in.
Agreed. 😊
An eclectic mix of Hebrew, Arabic (African) and English
How people communicate, especially cross-culturally has always fascinated me.
This sounds like such an important story to be told and I like the serious / fun sandwich. It's one of the best ways to get us humans to care.
This sounds like an important film for the times we are living in where so many seem to lack empathy for the immigrant/refugee experience and are reverting back to a xenophobic mindset. I really appreciated your analysis about how the main character sort of uplifts everyone around him due to his positive demeanour which though it may on the surface appear pleasant is reflective of the fact that he has to live up to a higher standard so as to not be found out.
Thanks Matthew. Appreciate your feedback. It made me question to the point about him having to always live beyond reproach, psychologically what this does to a person after a while. How can they live authentically? Who really knows him? Even his friend Nigel who he can be the most real with doesn’t really know him either. He conceals and this concealing also will boil over eventually.
Yesterday, when I saw you post about this film, I wanted to watch it, went on a search, but couldn't find it on any streaming platform 😞
It’s a great point. You’re right. At the screening this question came up and it’s not available on streaming platforms unfortunately. Now this could change. I know they are trying to figure out distribution! Stay tuned my friend.