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Bookmark this pageLive And Become (2005)
Director: Radu Mihaileanu
Movie review
From Time Out London
Although it’s true that French-Romanian director Radu Mihaileanu’s ambitious – and brave – attempt to dramatise the tortuous experience of Falasha Jews brought to Israel in the partly-clandestine, Mossad-organised, ‘Operation Moses’, following their post-famine exodus in 1984, succumbs to certain dramatic conventionality, that by no means minimises its impact and sincerity.Mihaileanu picks on one such immigrant, Schlomo, a nine-year-old Ethiopian (played by three actors) who, in order to be saved, has fabricated a Jewish heritage and then follows the searing contradictions operating on him over the next 20 years. It’s a sensitive, clearly socially engaged, but subtle and nicely-acted tale of difficult readjustment, suffering and loss. The boy – although lucky to be fostered by a liberal, enlightened middle-class (French) family – must deny his mother’s existence as one of the prices he must pay. It’s also unafraid to broach such difficult, not to say, taboo subjects, as cultural elitism and racism, operating within the heart of Israeli society. Armand Amar’s score may be a touch over-emphatic, but in general, the tone is exemplarily balanced.
Author: WH
Time Out London Issue 1844: December 21 2005 - January 4 2006
User reviews of this film
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- Daniele said...
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Posted on Jun 17 2008 07:45
A powerful and emotional storyline with wonderful characters and much insight into the human spirit.
Too few of those quality films around. - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Radu Mihaileanu
Cast: Yaël Abecassis, Roschdy Zem, Mosche Agazai, Mosche Abebe, Sirak M Sabahat, Roni Hadar, Meskie Shibru Sivan, Mimi Abonesh Kebede, Rami Danon, Avi Oria full cast
Rated: 12A
Duration: 140 mins
UK Release: Dec 30 2005
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