Review of Ajami (2009) by Alix W — 04 Oct 2010
The multiple plot structure of the film is reminiscent of Crash (2004) and Traffic (2000) but that is where the similarity ends. Ajami is a fantastic film that has strong legs to stand on its own. I saw this a while ago and writing about it now, while I remember the scenes and characters make me want to see this film again.
Five separate stories set in Ajami, a poor Arab neighbourhood situated in the city of Tel-Aviv/Yafo. The many characters are played mostly by non professionals, and the result gives a documentary feel to the film. This film is the Israeli entry for the Oscars 2009. I was initially a bit apprehensive about watching a film dealing so directly with the Arab-Jewish conflict but at its heart it is a human story about human conflict and suffering.
Directed by two newcomers on the cinema scene Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani, it is acted most of the time in Arabic and deals with a world that many Israelis know only from the news - the crime and poverty dominated Arab districts at the periphery of the Israeli big cities.The name of the film is of one of these areas, in Jaffo, south and close to the shining lights of the Tel Aviv metropolis. This film is a must watch for anyone who wants to understand the conflict.
This review of Ajami (2009) was written by Alix W on 04 Oct 2010.
Ajami has generally received very positive reviews.
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