Maybe I just like watching sappy movies, but "Broken Wings" contains the universal theme of the difficult struggle to continue living after a devastating blow. This movie shows how the wife and four children of a man, who died of an allergic reaction to a bee, try to continue to live, when all they want to do is sleep, fall into comas, and die. Israel certainly has enough stories of grief and despair to tell, but like the country itself, this movie focuses on the underlying message of the beautiful fight for survival. I like the fact that the film is set in Haifa, a city that is relatively free of political and religious extremism and strife; it makes the film more universal. Maya Maron, one of the lead characters, brings a luminous freshness to this film, which is poignant, full of heart, yet gritty. The symbolism of an angel's broken wing ties into the actions of all the characters as well as the setting, a hospital, and the haunting melody and mournful lyrics of the songs. So many Israelis criticize films from their country, but this one is beautiful!
Review of Broken Wings
