Saw The Band's Visit tonight (w/ special guest to DC area James "Off the Black" Ponsoldt & a friend), liked it a lot, & the general consensus from our camp was that Visit is like an early Jarmusch movie, but set in the Middle East, and "with heart". The movie felt both familiar and tense/somewhat suspenseful, but generally charming & hopeful - might have to watch it again.
In celebration, here is the link to an interview with Visit's director.
From the intro to the indieWIRE interview:
"After the screening in last year's Cannes, the applause wouldn't stop, keeping the visibly moved filmmakers and cast in the theater. The film was "The Band's Visit," a first feature from Israeli director Eran Kolirin. Arriving without buzz on the Croisette, it quickly emerged as a gem of Cannes '07, and nabbed the international critic's prize for the Un Certain Regard section. "Band" is a quiet, pared-down film, which like a story by Chekhov, strips bare its characters' lives. Toplined by the great Ronit Elkabetz, leading Israeli actor Sasson Gabai, and gifted Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri, it concerns an Egyptian Police band that arrives in Israel to play at an initiation ceremony for an Arab cultural center."
Read the rest & the interview here.
& here's the trailer for the film:
- Sujewa
In celebration, here is the link to an interview with Visit's director.
From the intro to the indieWIRE interview:
"After the screening in last year's Cannes, the applause wouldn't stop, keeping the visibly moved filmmakers and cast in the theater. The film was "The Band's Visit," a first feature from Israeli director Eran Kolirin. Arriving without buzz on the Croisette, it quickly emerged as a gem of Cannes '07, and nabbed the international critic's prize for the Un Certain Regard section. "Band" is a quiet, pared-down film, which like a story by Chekhov, strips bare its characters' lives. Toplined by the great Ronit Elkabetz, leading Israeli actor Sasson Gabai, and gifted Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri, it concerns an Egyptian Police band that arrives in Israel to play at an initiation ceremony for an Arab cultural center."
Read the rest & the interview here.
& here's the trailer for the film:
- Sujewa
