Review of Ajami (2009) by Robert S — 29 Apr 2010
An Israeli film conceived by an Arab-Israeli and an Israeli-Jew, set in an urban war zone Christian-Muslim-Palestinian neighbohood of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, with most of the actors non-professionals from the 'hood"? Irresistable if you like unflinching films from the dark side of life.
This one garnered an Oscar Nomination for the Best Foreign Film of 2010 (won by The White Ribbon). Violence is everywhere in the film, nearly all of it impending if one or another of the players makes the wrong next move.
The director-writer team had to have been influenced by Quenton Tarentino's earlier works (think "Get Shorty"), interweaving five seemingly unrelated stories into one satisfying, if stunning, whole in the end.
Reminded me a lot of "City of God," another war zone neighborhood (of Buenos Aires), only "Ajami's" vision is even bleaker. "City" happened in the Sixties. What's depicted in "Ajami" is happening NOW.
"Ajami" shows just how tough a job George Mitchell has on his hands these days. Northern Ireland was a walk in the park by comparison. 5 stars.
This review of Ajami (2009) was written by Robert S on 29 Apr 2010.
Ajami has generally received very positive reviews.
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