21 November 2008
The Band's Visit
Israel/USA/France: 2007
Director: Eran Kolirin
Certificate: 12A
87 minutes
The charming Israeli comedy The Band's Visit was a success at Cannes on 2007. The tale of an Egyptian police band stranded overnight in a quiet Israeli settlement after taking the wrong bus, it features lovely performances from Sasson Gabai as the band's impeccably behaved conductor and actress Ronit Elkabetz as an Israeli bar owner who puts him up for the night.
A beautifully controlled piece, it marks the impressive debut of director and screenwriter Eran Kolirin, who handles the delicate shades of politics with subtle tones.
Jason Solomons The Observer
A gentle, unpretentious comedy that posits a why-can't-we-just-get-along approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict. An Egyptian police orchestra is stranded in a dusty desert town; thrown on the mercy of their Israeli hosts, awkwardness evolves into mutual affection. It's powered by excellent performances - just the right side of deadpan - and never gets remotely preachy. The Arabic-Hebrew credit roll gives you some idea of writer-director Kolirin's ambition.
Andrew Pulver The Guardian
