Best of Israeli Cinema

19-11-2008 14:18

With the release of Waltz with Bashir this week and the support that it has been gathering on the festival circuit, which could see it nominated for an Oscar, Israeli cinema has once again been put under the spotlight.

Soldier turned filmmaker Ari Folman, as part of his national service, invaded South Lebanon following years of Palestinian bombardment from their territory, planning to occupy the country and appoint Bashir Gemayel as President.

The film goes on to depict the massacre of the Sabra and Shatila Palestinian refugee camps but Ari cannot remember a thing about this period in his life.

To celebrate the release of this remarkable film that has all the critics punching the air and animation fans at last being able to get excited over a film that is so different from the generic stuff that has filled cinemas this year FemaleFirst looked at some of the best Israeli movies.

The Band's Visit

The Band's Visit is the debut feature from writer and director Eran Kolirin. A small Egyptian police band arrive in 1990s Israel to perform in Petach Tikva at an Arab culture centre.

But when no one greets them on their arrival in the country they try to make their own way to the city but become stranded in the similarly named Beitha Tikva.

With no transport until the following morning the local cafe owner Dina takes them under her wing providing the bandmaster with lodgings and finding other places to stay around town for the rest of the band. The film highlights that in this night where the band are lost in a strange country they learn more about each other and about themselves.