Movie: Bethehem

Bethlehem: a contemporary Israeli movie.  The primary characters are an Israeli secret service officer and a Palestinian teenage informant.  In 2013, the movie was given an Ophir for Best Film.  The Ophir is the Israeli Academy of Film and Television’s equivalent of an Oscar.  In its 99 minutes, this movie offers a case study as to why there has been no peace in the West Bank.  In this Cain and Abel tale, the political and social difficulties existing in the West Bank are starkly presented.  Sanfur (Shadi Mar’i) is a 17 year old living with his parents in Bethlehem.  His brother, Ibrahim, is a Palestinian militant responsible for the death of Israelis.  Razi (Tsahi Halevy) is a married Israeli secret service officer working for an antiterrorism unit and who has gotten Sanfur to assist him in tracking terrorists.  The film gives different reasons as to why Sanfur chose to cooperate with Razi.  You may view the Sanfur character as complex or as just a confused teenager living in a violent society.  Ibrahim’s mission is simple - to kill Israelis - and while Ibrahim’s story is essential to the movie, the focus is on Sanfur and Razi.  Bethlehem is written by Ali Waked, an Israeli Arab, and Yuval Adler, who also directed this excellent film.  The violence of the place and times are shown primarily through Sanfur’s interactions with his family, friends and society.  The film shows the mistrust many Israelis have for Palestinians as well as the mistrust that lies within the Palestinian community itself.  Through the presence of the individual in Ibrahim’s Cell No. 2, the movie also makes the point that Bedouins are viewed as second class citizens within the Palestinian community.  Hiham Omari, as the Bedouin Badawi, gives a powerful performance.  This film appears to be an honest presentation of what is currently happening in the West Bank.  Subtitled.