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| Movie Review: Lebanon Alternate Title: Someone Else's Nightmare
Story: I have not felt this
claustrophobic in the theater since seeing Das Boot. I could
have named this Das Tank as an Alternate Title but it just
seemed too obvious. Samuel Maoz' debut film is a
knockout. As both writer and director, this autobiographical film took
him 30 years to bring to the screen. His memory is strong and we feel
the tension from the opening scene. It is the first day of the Lebanon
War, in June 1982. Four twenty something Israeli soldiers are in a tank
on what is supposed to be a simple clean up mission but things go terribly
wrong. The entire film takes place in the tight space
of this dark, hot, filthy, tank and the viewer gets to watch the outside
action through Moaz' eyes as he was the gunner. Through cross hairs
we see bits and pieces of the action but the big picture is truly lost.
I would imagine that this one idea is the overall theme of Moaz' film.
Moaz also manages to stay away from any of the political or moral implications
of this war (which many say was Israel's Vietnam). While fighting, a
soldier simply does not have the luxury of waxing poetic about the implications
of battle. The acting is top notch. The sounds that the
tank creates as it creaks along are spine tingling. This is not an easy
film to watch but it is quite a ride. If you have the guts - go for
it. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_kE5QD_W4 .Acting: Yoav Donat as
gunner Shmulik is terrific as were all of the actors including: Itay
Tiran (Assi), Oshri Cohen (Hertzel), Michael
Moshonov (Yigal), Zohar Strauss (Jamil), Dudu
Tassa (Syrian Captive), Ashraf Barhom (Phalangist
Mother) and Reymonde Amsellem (Lebanese Mother). Trivia: This film won the top prize in the Venice
Film Festival last year.
Predilection: I like Israeli films.
Critters: Oh dear - the animals in this film were
casualties of war and very hard to watch. Especially aching was a scene
with a dying mule.
Food: Croutons.
Sex Spectrum: None
Soundtrack: I cannot recall a soundtrack at all.
The sounds of the cranky tank, rockets, guns and screams are my only
memory.
Opening Titles: A field filled with flaccid sunflowers.
The peace of that reverie is quickly broken as we enter the tank.
Visual Art: There is nothing visually pleasant about
the inside of a tank.
Theater Audience: About 20 other people, mostly guys
and us. One dude sat in the first row. perhaps he wanted to be inside
the tank. Weird.
Weather: Hot, sticky and filthy.
Squirm Scale: 3 - war is hell
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Perhaps
Big Screen or Rental: If you want that extra claustrophobic
feeling go for the big screen
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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