Avanti Popolo (1986) User Reviews

A wonderful movie

[firet · 10/10 · 19 February 1999]

A most beautiful anti-war movie. It describes the surreal journey of two Egyptian soldiers as they're coming back to Cairo from the Six-day War of 1967. One is an aspiring actor, whose biggest role so far was that of Shakespeare's Shylock (the irony of fate), who contributes the role of the sad clown (played in a most touching way by the Arab-Israeli actor Salim Daw); the other soldier is a very disillusioned and broken man whose only aspiration is to return home (while he is not familiar to me, he performs his role very well too). This contrast between the real and the fantastic is possibly what enhances the movie's message most.

While the movie fluctuates between pacifist euphoria and tragedy, it is a very focused and thought-provoking film.

What a way to graduate

[ayoreinf · 10/10 · 12 November 2013]

This film was Rafi Bukai's graduation film in the Tel Aviv university cinema studies. It had almost no budget, and it was misunderstood by many as a self hating anti Israeli anti war movie. It's not it's probably the best movie ever made in Israel by a great cinematic mind with a deep understanding of the limitations of a students film budget, and how to use these for your own advantage. With very little means this movie creates a series of unforgettable images that speak in every language. It's not anti Israeli, it's anti war, and it uses the war in which Israel has won its biggest victory ever, because it helps delivering the point. Yes it does show some Israeli characters which aren't very nice, but it also shows some which are much nicer. and of the three Egiptian characters in the movie one is very bellicose, and his role is next to insignificant considering his screen time, but much more significant when considering the fact that he's one of the only three Egiptians shown in the film. Their nationality is not the issue here, that's the reason the film is named after the anthem of the Italian Communist party, an anthem heard on the radio during the film and getting sung as a marching tune in one of the greatest scenes ever seen in Israeli cinema.

If you can keep an open mind regarding some very touchy spots you'll have to see that this one of the best anti war films ever, made in Israel or at any other country. This one is a real must see.

A compelling and well-constructed anti-war film

[mskirollos · 6/10 · 29 August 2015]

A compelling and well-constructed anti-war film, that feels ahead of its time specially with the sociopolitical situation in the middle east. It was Israel's Academy Award entry for best foreign film in 1986, and was described by Ariel Sharon, the Minister of Industry and Commerce back then as "a self-destructive portrait of inept Jews".

The narrative traces the surreal journey of two Egyptian soldiers crossing the Sinai desert to reach the Egyptian lines beyond Suez Canal, following the defeat of the Egyptian forces in the Six-Day war in 1967 and the subsequent chaotic retreat.

Being born and raised in Egypt, the obvious issue I found with the film from the outset was the Arabic accent/dialect used by the Egyptian soldiers' characters, and their expressions of fear and surprise, and while this might not make a great difference for the foreign viewer, the second drawback with the dialogues of the two soldiers, which felt too bland and obvious and quite theatrical at times, was sometimes a letdown, specially with the well-written situations where a good dialogue would have been a big addition.

But apart from that, good cinematography that fully utilised the desert background, and interesting sequences specially towards the end, of the encounter between Egyptian soldiers and their Israeli counterparts, made it a worthwhile experience. The powerful humane message of the film and the interesting setting definitely make the film worth checking out for foreign film fans.

No war

[BandSAboutMovies · 4/10 · 18 February 2024]

Was Film Ventures International fighting Cannon for the rights to show Israeli movies in the U. S.?

Directed by Rafi Bukai, this was the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 59th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

"Forward people, towards redemption. Red Flag, Red Flag. Red Flag will triumph. Long live communism and freedom." This Italian song, "Bandiera Rossa," is also called "Avanti Popolo" after the first words in the song, which mean "Forward people." That song is sung by the soldiers in this movie.

This is set on June 11, 1967, just as the cease fire of the Six-Day War starts and two Egyptian army men, Gassan and Haled, make their way through the Sinai desert to reach home. It feels like they have entered another planet as they seek any way to survive.

Finally, the protagonists meet and befriend three Israeli soldiers who should be their enemy. The war means nothing to them, other than something to live past. Tell that to the Swedish soldier, dead in a Jeep filled with high end alcohol or the British reporter who wants to see even more violence.

parts slow, overall worth it

[samuelb70 · 16 April 2002]

Although an Israeli movie, most of the movie is actually in Arabic. I can't say this was great, but it is still worth seeing, even if just for the 15 minutes where the Egyptian and Israeli soldiers are together.

Pretty funny, but some parts are weirdly political.