Top 5: Best in Israeli Cinema in 2010

[Editor’s note: I’ve asked our team of world film correspondents to dish out their top 5 films of the year from their respective countries. Here’s Eithan Weitz’s take on the Best in Israeli Cinema in 2010.]

Looking back on the year of Israeli cinema we first notice that there weren’t any standouts such as Waltz with Bashir or Beaufort, meaning none of the films unveiled were exceptional in quality, however Israeli cinema did produce several strong and moving dramas, while the industry choose this year to test out the viability of new genre films. There was the hilarious and extremely successful comedy (a rarity in Israeli cinema) This is Sodom, and horror/slasher movie Rabies. It appears that audiences, both domestically and locally have come to expect excellence when it comes to Israeli movies, and while critical reception on the international an local front paled to previous crop years, and box office had several duds these next five films are worth the mention.

#5. The Mission of the Human Resources Manager – Eran Riklis
Another adaptation of a book, this turned out to be a deep and moving drama and lovely crowd pleaser full of authentically humorous moments. Mostly shot in Romania, this film has an exceptional production value, and the strong performances made this is a solid film that should have easily found box office success, but for some reason it didn’t. I found it be an enjoyable film that deserves to still find an audience. It did on the world film festival circuit including Toronto.

#4. Intimate Grammar – Nir Bergman
Since his 2002 hit Broken Wings, Bergman was mostly busy working in TV. His return to the big screen was supposed to be a celebration, but it plunged at the box office. The first half of the movie is rather weak, but the second half is incredibly moving, slowly describing the stages of a process in which a boy is secluding himself from the world. Based on a book by the same name, it was believed that it is almost an impossible book to adapt, but in Intimate Grammar, Bergman demonstrated how skilled he is working with the imagination, creating cinematic imagery that won’t quickly be forgotten.

#3. Mabul-The Flood – Guy Nattiv
Winning first prize at the Haifa Film Festival, this very-well made main stream drama tells of a young boy coping with the unexpected return of his autistic brother. Guy Nattiv who co-directed Strangers in 2006 surprises in his first solo flight with this restraint drama packed with solid performances by top actors (Zachi Grad, Ronit Elkabetz, and Israeli Academy Award winner Michael Moshonov). Mabul-The Flood demonstrates that mainstream is not such a turnoff term when it’s done right. International audience will have the chance to see it when it screens in Berlin in February, and a little bit after that it will be released to screens in Israel. Smells like a winner.

#2. The Matchmaker (AKA Once I Was) – Avi Nesher
Since Avi Nesher’s return to Israel in 2004, he’s been extremely successful at the box office, but the critics gave him a cold shoulder. His latest changed things, as most critics favored this delicate and moving drama about a matchmaker who becomes the mentor of a 14 year-old in 1968 Haifa. The main role is played by Adir Miller, mostly known for his stand-up acts and his successful sitcom. In the film, Miller surprises everyone in a multi-layered performance, playing a damaged character, a holocaust survivor, who finds in the young boy someone to pass on his wisdom to. Endlessly tender, beautifully shot, with wonderful music by Phillip Sarde (who wrote music for Roman Polanski), this movie was loved audience and critics alike, bringing justified Israeli Academy Awards to both Miller and his co-star Mia Dagan (another comedian making a dramatic appearance).

#1. On the Third Day – Moshe Ivgy
Actually, in my opinion, this film was the most exceptional film of the year, but it seems that I was in the minority. Although it had a few nominations for the Israeli Academy awards it didn’t claim a single award win, and the critical reactions to the screenings at the Jerusalem film festival were quite cold. This furious film is a Magnolia-type movie, weaving together few stories of male domination, leading to the inevitable apocalypse. The most celebrated Israeli screen actor makes his debut as a director, and proves an impressive control over all aspects of movie making. As expected from an actor-director, all actors here are at the top of their game, the cinematography and editing are exquisite, and the script is amazing. On top of that, Ivgy demonstrates knowledge and understanding of film history, as in one of the scenes he recreates a scene from Nagisa Oshima’s classic Empire of the Senses. This film could still be discovered by the public, as his release date is still marked TBA.