Spotting Yossi
Image by Nino Herman
להאיר את יוסי | Kobi Farag/Morris Ben-Mayor| Israel, 2019 | Hebrew (English subtitles) | Documentary | 72m | IMDB | Distributor/Sales: Ben Mayor & Farag Films | Festival marketing sample: JFF 2020 | Trailer
Description: Yossi Banai was an eclectic Israeli actor, comedian, singer, cabaret performer, theatre director, skit writer and more. He is a recipient of major awards and considered one of the most important Israeli artists of his generation. This documentary uses clips of his work and first person narration, apparently by Banai himself though he’s passed away in 2006. The source of the recording(s) is unclear.
Merits: At the end of his studies with her, Fania Luvitch, his drama teacher, advised Banai to seek a different career. After his first performance in HaBima a reviewer remarked that if anyone could display a lack of talent, Banai was a success. Judging from the clips of his early work, I would have agreed. He certainly seems to lack the polish and talent of his rough contemporary, Shaike Ofir. Yet gradually Banai’s charm and this film grew on me. It is probably the case of ‘the sum is greater than the parts’.
Rating: Suitable for general audience
Programming considerations: There is at least one conventional tv documentary on Yossi Banai’s career featuring interviews with his surviving collaborators.