l_rawjalaurence Set in Bethlehem during the current Arab-Israeli conflict, Yuval Adler's film (cowritten with Ali Wakad) concentrates on the life of seventeen-year-old Sanfur (Shadi Mar'i) an Israeli Arab trying to survive in the midst of almost impossible conflict. Cultivated at an early age by Israeli Secret Service officer Razi (Tsahi Halevi) to be a spy for the Israeli cause, he reports on the activities of the Palestine Liberation Front and Hamas. At the same time he fulfills the same role for the PLF, led by thuggish man Badawi (Hitham Omari) who has known Sanfur since childhood. Sanfur twists and turns, telling the stories that both Razi and Badawi want to hear until the complications of his life become too difficult to manage, with tragic consequences.BETHLEHEM looks at the ways in which Sanfur's life is dependent on family values as he is morally obliged to avenge the death of his older brother İbrahim (Tarik Kopty), while at the same time trying to conceal his association with Razi from his father Nasser (George Iskandar). Familial traditions are so strong that the younger siblings have little or no power of self-determination. Hence we feel for Sanfur as his face becomes more and more contorted with pain as he tries to maintain an urbane façade while fulfilling impossible tasks.As far as the civil war is concerned, the film suggests that involvement is very much a badge of male power. By carrying guns and patrolling the streets in search of enemies, the young man (Palestinian and Israeli alike) feel that they are somehow committed to a cause, giving them the excuse to indulge in pointless violence. Sanfur becomes embroiled in that culture, even though he is manifestly unsuited for the task.Set in a series of dingy rooms and dark passages in a ruined city, the film creates an underworld in which concepts of "good" and "evil," or "right" and "wrong," simply do not exist. No one, it seems, can grow up unaffected (or should it be corrupted) by the civil war, which seems never-ending, despite continued calls for a ceasefire.

pc95 (spoilers)"Bethlehem" directed by Yuval Adler, is a decent suspense drama set in Israel along very similar lines to it's sister movie entitled "Omar". Here there is an overarching plot that is not as well focused as "Omar". Suffice to say about 2/3 of the way through the movie the filmmakers decide to can the initial drive of the movie and go along a different line with secondary characters. This doesn't hold as much dramatic weight. By the end we know what's going to happen and there is little if no tension. Still the movie has a good first 2/3 setup until the main character's brother is killed in fighting is fairly captivating. The editing and camera work is not the best nor is the accompanying soundtrack showing the budget constraints. 6/10

Red-125 Bethlehem (2013/I) is an Israeli film co-written and directed by Yuval Adler. It tells the story of a Palestinian adolescent, Sanfur (played by Shadi Mar'i) and his relationship with Razi, an Israeli intelligence officer (played by Tsahi Halevi).Like the true situation in the region, this is a game without winners. Razi honestly cares about Sanfur, but this care should always be secondary to his real goal--finding the leaders of Hamas. Sanfur's brother is an important Hamas leader, so the plan is to have Sanfur lead the Israelis to the brother, who is the person they want to capture or kill.As would be expected, nothing goes as planned. One horrible situation replaces another horrible situation. In fact, this is one of the few films I've seen where there is no quiet, safe moment. If I am remembering correctly, no one ever smiles or relaxes. (Razi's wife has the thankless role of telling him, "Be careful, Razi." We never get to see any real affection between them.)I'm not an expert in the situation in the area, so I can't comment about the movie's authenticity. To my non-expert eye, the movie looked very realistic. Grim and realistic.It's worth seeing this film because it is extremely well constructed and well acted. However, just watch it with the understanding that you won't leave the theater--or eject the DVD--in a happy frame of mind.The movie will work well on DVD, but we were fortunate enough to see it on the large screen at the fine Dryden Theatre as part of the outstanding Rochester Jewish Film Festival.

Raven-1969 In a landscape so fractured as Palestine, fault-lines run wide and deep. Trust is both essential and lacking. This insightful and revealing film explores the ties that alike bring people together and thrust them apart. Bonds and fissures extend into religion, politics, family, history, class, workplace, individual desire and beyond. The film director worked for Israeli army intelligence and wrote the script with a Muslim journalist. Together they infuse the film with realism and awareness. The main characters are an Israeli secret service agent and a young Palestinian informant. The agent seeks to protect his informant even as he manipulates him. Not an easy task in any environment. The actors are a little awkward, but capable and believable. The film is brilliant in that it helped me understand what is beneath all the headlines in the Middle East. Beyond all the facts, names and figures, here are the emotions and influences that cut to the bone. Truth is stranger than fiction.