A scene from For My Father

For My Father
Heather Reinblatt

Part of the Israel Film Festival—the largest showcase of Israeli films in the U.S.—For My Father is a heart-wrenching tale about a young suicide bomber with high hopes of redeeming his father’s good name. Taking place in Israel, the film depicts the perpetual conflict happening between today’s Arabs and Israelis. The would-be Palestinian suicide bomber, by way of a defect in his bomb, finds himself in a small corner of Tel Aviv, where, under strange circumstances, he meets and falls in love with a young Israeli woman.

Urged to take part in restoring his country’s pride and his father’s name, Terek is flooded with propaganda by his fellow “terrorists” to commit suicide and destroy the so-called “monsters” who took away his father’s life. As a promising soccer player on a national team, Terek and his father found themselves caught up in politics as they attempted to cross the border into Israel for a match. Eventually the politics overwhelmed them, until his father was forced to compromise his morals to obtain the papers necessary to allow his son to pursue his dreams. Over time, his methods didn’t work, and both father and son were forced to give up their dreams.

Terek's father retreated into sadness, Terek into anger. It’s this anger that leads Terek into Tel Aviv, where he meets Keren, a young girl estranged from her Orthodox family, and Katz, a friendly shop owner next door. These two show Terek the meaning of human life and that in the end death will only hurt both sides: the people of Israel and his father. Like Katz says, “Death will not help your father, it will only kill him.” A survivor of the Holocaust, Katz understands hate and its consequences. He also understands what it’s like to be a father who loses a child, since his own son died tragically while serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

As an independent film by director Dror Zahavi, I was a little hesitant to watch it at first, but like any other great movie, it conveys a powerful message: There are no winners in this convoluted situation. And unlike many films continuing to choose sides, this film—nominated for seven Israeli Academy Awards—refuses to allow either side to claim the upper hand. The lines are blurred as both sides appear to share some of the blame. Had Terek been allowed to play soccer in Israel, he would never have become a suicide bomber. The film still gives hope that when people are able to transcend the politics of their country or cause and are able to meet the human beings on the other side, obstacles can indeed be overcome.

Eli & Ben
Jaime Yager

With the ongoing conflict raging between Israelis and Palestinians, many Israeli films show these obvious clashes. Eli & Ben, directed by Ori Ravid, takes a break from this loaded topic and gives viewers the inside scoop on conflicts within an Israeli community.

Ben, the father of Eli, is the city architect in Herzelya, Israel. He decides who can build what and where it can be built. But when Ben is accused of bribery, this really affects Eli. A young boy with good morals, Eli is deeply confused about why his own father would do such a thing, and thus believes he must be innocent. He goes through a period of denial—maybe any 11- or 12-year-old boy would think his father is perfect. Eli learns the hard way that this isn’t always true. The film exposes the present-day drama that occurs behind the big action of political conflicts.

Ben has good intentions, but like many people in high power, he becomes corrupt. On the outside, he looks strong and can face anything. In actuality, he runs away from his hardships. Eli is just the opposite. From the outside, he looks unsure of himself and not very strong. In reality, he does whatever he pleases. There’s one scene in the film in which he stands up for what he honestly believes is right, and even though the outcome could be very bad, he follows through and becomes a hero figure to some.

Eli and Ben could easily be compared to David and Goliath. Although they’re not fighting each other, their characters are like them; Eli is like David, small but strong, and Ben is like Goliath, big but weak. Eli’s discomfort with dishonesty makes him the strong character that he is. Any injustice he witnesses, he wants to fix. But with all the deep and heavy problems between Eli and his father, romantic relief is incorporated to make viewers smile. Eli and Hillit, his school girlfriend, hit it off, and this innocent and cute love plays out throughout the film.

This film is really thought-provoking; after watching it, I was thinking about life in Israel. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a fresh and different Israeli film.

Heather Reinblatt is 16 and has a passion for writing and listening to music. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.

Jaime Yager is a high school senior in New Orleans, La. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, running, listening to music and hanging with friends. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.