Parisians Richard Berry and Sophie Marceau have left France and moved to live on an Israeli Kibbutz. One day, in early June 1967, three male friends from Paris turn up unexpectedly to visit them. Another girl, Myriam, also a member of the group and who had also loved Richard Berry in the past, has already committed suicide. One of the three male visitors, having felt unrequited love for Myriam, holds Sophie Marceau responsible for her death and intends to make a speech on the subject and drive the nail home on Sophie Marceau's birthday. Two of the other male visitors are vying for the love of Sophie Marceau, but in vain for her heart is in Richard Berry's hands. All this seems all so insignificant when, in 1967 the first explosions of the six day war hit the area.
I most of all loved this film's soundtrack, especially the magnificent SHELEG-AL-IRI ( Snow falls on my city ) by Naomi Schemer. The photography, sets and kibbutz atmosphere is very well rendered and these are the main strong points of the film. For someone who has never seen the Israeli countryside and heard Israeli music, it is quite an eye opener.
The viewer is lulled into a sense of tranquility and exoticism to such a point that when war strikes, he/she is completely taken by surprise, even though we know something is in the offing and military vehicles are never far away.
Most of the characters speak French, which seems completely out of place in a place like Israelwhere you would expect the characters to speak Hebrew or possibly a little English. This appears implausible and detracts from the believability of the film.
Nevertheless I have viewed the film about 4 times and like it a little more on each viewing. Apart from Marceau and Berry, the other actors were unknown to me. It should be stated that Arcady has a reputation for making films set in mediterranean countries such as Algeria.
I'm sorry to put a damper on things but would warn would-be viewers that the final scenes of the film are VERY distressing and I admit having to turn my face away from the TV on several occasions. People who do not like to see the damage done by war to human beings should avoid this film, if not they will be very upset by what they see. This contrasts markedly with the easy-going, lighthearted kibbutz atmosphere in the first half. There is notably an anguishing few minutes when the troops enter the city of Jerusalem and touch the Wailing Wall.
The film is now ( Sept 2007 ) available on a DVD in France with a reasonably good print copy, but unfortunately lacking in subtitles except when hebrew is spoken and French subtitles occur. The notable novelty in the DVD issue is a second disc which is none other than the WHOLE CD OF THE SOUNDTRACK. Yes, you heard correct ! If only DVD's included the soundtrack on cd more often !! All in all for 15 euros you can't complain.
Anyone interested in Israel, its countryside, kibbutzes and its music should find pleasure in this film, but as I said will probably find the final scenes distressing.
I most of all loved this film's soundtrack, especially the magnificent SHELEG-AL-IRI ( Snow falls on my city ) by Naomi Schemer. The photography, sets and kibbutz atmosphere is very well rendered and these are the main strong points of the film. For someone who has never seen the Israeli countryside and heard Israeli music, it is quite an eye opener.
The viewer is lulled into a sense of tranquility and exoticism to such a point that when war strikes, he/she is completely taken by surprise, even though we know something is in the offing and military vehicles are never far away.
Most of the characters speak French, which seems completely out of place in a place like Israelwhere you would expect the characters to speak Hebrew or possibly a little English. This appears implausible and detracts from the believability of the film.
Nevertheless I have viewed the film about 4 times and like it a little more on each viewing. Apart from Marceau and Berry, the other actors were unknown to me. It should be stated that Arcady has a reputation for making films set in mediterranean countries such as Algeria.
I'm sorry to put a damper on things but would warn would-be viewers that the final scenes of the film are VERY distressing and I admit having to turn my face away from the TV on several occasions. People who do not like to see the damage done by war to human beings should avoid this film, if not they will be very upset by what they see. This contrasts markedly with the easy-going, lighthearted kibbutz atmosphere in the first half. There is notably an anguishing few minutes when the troops enter the city of Jerusalem and touch the Wailing Wall.
The film is now ( Sept 2007 ) available on a DVD in France with a reasonably good print copy, but unfortunately lacking in subtitles except when hebrew is spoken and French subtitles occur. The notable novelty in the DVD issue is a second disc which is none other than the WHOLE CD OF THE SOUNDTRACK. Yes, you heard correct ! If only DVD's included the soundtrack on cd more often !! All in all for 15 euros you can't complain.
Anyone interested in Israel, its countryside, kibbutzes and its music should find pleasure in this film, but as I said will probably find the final scenes distressing.