Reviews
The Band's Visit (Bikur Ha-Tizmoret)
By David Kempler
2008-03-24 15:46:48

Eight Egyptian men, mostly old enough to be grandfathers, have just landed at the airport in Israel. They stand in their powder blue uniforms, appearing to be part of the armed forces of a country that couldn't figure out how to produce menacing or camouflaged duds. The effect is both comedic and quizzical. They are the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra, a band that represents the police force of Alexandria.

We learn that their purpose is no longer all that important to the powers that be back home when no one comes to pick them up. Their pride must be hurt but they will not show it. What they will show is a resignation that the years are catching up to them and their cause. The bandleader, Tewfiq (Sasson Gabai), is the proudest of all and he is determined to take them to their appointed destination. It doesn't work out that way, at least not at first, but it's the trip on the way that is the story here. On their journey, most everyone gains insight into foreigners and learns a bit about themselves.

The orchestra ends up in the wrong town and finds themselves at a local eatery that is not exactly bustling. Dina (Ronit Elkabetz) is the proprietor and she is clearly a strong, knowing and fun loving woman, in a low key way. She is amused by the arrival of her guests but not in a condescending way. Two patrons, or more accurately, two people who are part of the scenery of the restaurant, are also amused and curious by the foreigners. There is no open hostility between people of countries that aren't the best of friends. None of the people on either side of the fence seems much concerned about politics. They are all just trying to make it to tomorrow but not in a despairing way. Food and shelter is far more important than politics here. Many have the same problems of failed or failing relationships but everyone knows that their plight isn't all that special or horrific. None is suffering beyond reason.

Evan Kolirin wrote and directed "The Band's Visit" and he manages to not fall into the chasms that could trip up a lesser director. On paper, this could easily have been a stereotypical story of warring people finding out that they really aren't all that different or a drippingly Saccharin film of Kumbaya, but Kolirin doesn't allow either disaster to occur. Instead, he steers it through potential minefields and lets us get to know the characters, revealing their personalities very slowly and lovingly.

The performances are all solid, especially by Gabai and Elkabetz as the wise leaders of their respective communities. Everything revolves around their two characters. Their restrained performances allow the color of the other characters to eventually appear.

Part of the beauty of "The Band's Visit" is its slow pace and certainly some viewers will not be happy about this, but if you are able to check your adrenaline at the door you will enjoy the telling of this simple but thoroughly endearing tale.



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