The Death of Cinema and My Father Too
המוות של הקולנוע ושל אבא גם | Dani Rosenberg | Israel, 2020 | Hebrew (English subtitles) | Drama | 103m | DCP | IMDB | Distributor/Sales: Films Boutique | Festival marketing sample: Cannes 2020
Description: Tel Aviv retiree Yoel receives a message from his brother, working in the Israeli embassy in Washington, that Iranian missiles are about to be raining on Israel. Yoel suspects that Jerusalem, holy to Moslems, will be spared. He decides to drive his son, grandson, mother, her carer and her cat to safety there. That is the basis of a film script proposed by Assaf to his dying father whom he wants to appear in the film. Although his father dismisses the effort as childish, Assaf is keen to involve him in the project while he is still alive. At the same time, he neglects his pregnant wife.
Merits: Fact is weaved with fiction, old Super-8 and VHS movies Rosenberg made with his family when he was young, recent documentary footage at his father’s deathbed, scenes starring professional actors and family members are all combined in a complex collage that is at times puzzling, often gently humorous but ultimately heartbreaking. A stunning achievement.
Rating: Strong language.