[critical] THE NEIGHBOURS OF GOD

Bat Yam, Israel. Avi, Kobi and Yaniv, the twenty bagarreuse, are self-proclaimed guardians of their neighbourhood, and conduct themselves as the guarantors of their vision of the Talmud. They are to observe how muscular the shabbat, to monitor the outfits of the girls and ensure that the young people of Jaffa, the nearby arab, do not enter the neighborhood with their cars, music blaring. The balance of the band teeters on the day when Avi, the group’s leader, meets Miri, a young israeli non-practicing.

Author’s Note

[rating:7/10]

• Release Date : March 27, 2013

• Directed by Meni Yaesh

• With Roy Assaf, Gal Friedman, Itzik Golan, Rotem Ziesman-Cohen

• Film israeli

• Duration : 1h35min

• Original title : The Neighbors of God

• Trailer :

ARVE Error: id and provider shortcodes attributes are mandatory for old shortcodes. It is recommended to switch to new shortcodes that need only url

The film starts of so raw. The spectator is brought to look at prayer in the foreground. After dinner, the tone is set. Only three minutes have passed in the film, and we are already confronted with violence. Phase of the exhibition : it shows the main character, a practicing jew, to be the avenger of his neighborhood. With his two friends, it will enforce its rules in a way muscular. Then comes the title, THE NEIGHBOURS OF GOD, we understand that we are dealing with a film about ideologies, including the reflection on the practice of a religion and the opposition with other religions.

And for a better understanding of the ideologies, it follows the daily life of these three friends, and practicing the Sabbath. Enter the intimate lives of these characters, this allows you to gain a better grasp of the psychological side of the characters. The how and why of, and the cause of what. What is very interesting is that all this will pass in half by the replicas, and half by the attitude. And it is with this intimate side, psychological (and even nostalgic), as attached to the characters. It would be wrong to believe that the film gives reason to these guys, because this film is mostly human.

So human that it is a question of integration. As said, the character Avi : people do what they want outside of the neighborhood, but inside it is necessary to respect its inhabitants. Everything is a question of integration and of respect. This idea of integration is enhanced by romance at Romeo and Juliet. The character Avi who falls under the spell (and vice versa) of a young israeli woman not active. A love story, not much expanded, to the benefit of the subject of integration. And it goes in the extreme, to be sure to be quiet, and respected.

In all this violence and these ideologies (both pushed to the extreme), there is a presence of fanaticism. As the pain of youth it-terrified, a youth overtaken by its ideologies, a youth complained of. But the film will also show a touch of humor. The radical was good at the beginning, for good cause and to get the viewer into the film. Now, let’s relax a bit, and these young people are cynical. Cynicism in relation to their supposed power, they have purchases thanks to their status as vigilantes of God.

It is in this treatment that you feel a progression. This progression is in the cinema of israel. With more freedom in the tone, more out of fear of denunciation, a willingness to integrate (a cry of stop to the fighting). Film policy and universal social, where the youth is the future of our world. A youth already supported by ideas and codes, she is quick to comply, for the good of the community. A pity that the achievement is not so much the height.

The realization is far from being completely bad. But it lacks an essential element : the visual language. When you have a film like this on the paper, it is a great pity that the transposition to the screen is so vain. Perhaps a bit of shyness or a desire to decrease, but it is a beast the camera does not serve here as a witness of the situations. We are shown these characters in their daily lives, and their ideologies, but nothing more. No form to be distinguished to provide an atmosphere similar to yours, or otherwise.

We would have liked a true point of view with this universal subject. But the director does that in the demonstration. But he has already done half the work. The staging is of the highest quality. The direction of the actors is millimétrée, using gestures, guided and some imrpovisations. A scene fabulous to see, that of the confession. The decor and music are also to be reported. A great deal of care has been put into these two elements of the film. They allow us a better integration with the characters.

Finally, THE NEIGHBORS OF GOD is a film about universal. A Film that is as much about the political, social, psychology, and religion. Meni Yaesh we speak of ideologies, integrity, and youth. But it is really a pity that the achievement is not up to par. Despite a beautiful setting in scene, including the actors perfect, the camera remains only a witness of the situations. A real point of view on this fanaticism and this integration would have been a nice plus. Even if the last scene may shock with its dubious message, not to forget the cynicism that the film is proof of that. And note the beautiful scene of the confession.