Review of The Band's Visit (2007) by Michael O — 21 Apr 2008

A subtle and human felt comedy about isolation and communication. The Band's Visit a warm film, placed in an area of the world where we don't see enough of comfort. First time Israeli filmmaker, Eran Kolirin puts together a comedy that isn't so much laugh out loud but it's wry sense of humor and unique camera angles border close to American favorite filmmaker, Wes Anderson.

The Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra is an eight member band from Egypt, and they have flown to Israel to perform for the opening of the Arab culture center. While left stranded at the airport the band's leader, Tewfiq (Sasson Gabai), orders the attractive violinist, Khaled (Saleh Bakri), to ask the information desk for directions to the center. Khaled swoons over the cute women at the info desk and while needing to get the correct direction it turns out he actually got the wrong information. The band ends up stranded in a small desert town far away from their intended destination. Tired and hungry, they find shelter at a restaurant run by the attractive but audacious woman named Dina (Ronit Elkabetz). Dina has a pretty dull life in the small town, she talks Tewfiq and the others into staying the night in her home. Over the course of the night (where the majority of the story unfolds) Tewfiq and Dina bond, Khaled shows a local how to be a Casanova, and the other band members run into several side story domestic situations with locals of the town.

The Band's Visit a delightful piece of middle eastern human essence. Kolirin makes this film work with such a real life tone, mixing drama, comedy, and emotion without skipping a single note. This film comes out on top where it could have easily been turn into a snarky parody of real life. The Band's visit is a compelling and enjoyable piece of real human life. I would recommend anyone and everyone to see this film.