Israeli film ‘Rock the Casbah’ wins Berlin award
By JPOST.COM STAFF
02/17/2013 20:45
Award follows success of Israeli film "The Gatekeepers" that garnered award in Berlin last week.
A Scene from 'Rock the Casbah.' Photo: Yoni Hamanchem
Israeli film Rock the Casbah won the Art Cinema Award of the International
Confederation of Art Cinemas at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival
Saturday.
Rock the Casbah depicts a harsh reality from a human
perspective, portraying the individuals literally caught in the crossfire of the
Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Set in 1989, during the first intifada, the film
follows Tomer (Yon Tumarkin), one of four Israeli soldiers posted on the roof of
a Palestinian home in Gaza, after one of their comrades has been killed in the
neighborhood.
The complicated relationships and charged interactions
among the soldiers, between the soldiers and the family, with their commanding
officers and the surrounding chaos, are portrayed with moving
sensitivity.
Rock the Casbah’s success follows Israeli film The
Gatekeepers’ award for most important documentary film of 2012 by The Cinema for
Peace initiative last week at the festival.