This movie was a complete surprise to me. It exposes the post-WWII vigilante Jewish movement of Jewish war partisans and the role of Abba Kovener a prominent poet.
I was not familiar with the talented brothers, Writers/Directors Yoav Paz and Doron Paz. They created a gripping film of a highly sensitive chapter in history, a highly sensitive matter that bears great relevance to our times. They bring a message to humanity, making this film a must see: the dilemma between the desire for vengeance as justice, the seemingly righteousness of avenging the slaughter and genocide perpetrated by the Nazis, and the moral compass and conscience that "threatened" the success of the mission at hand.
Juxtaposed with the dilemma of vengeance, and the real inconceivability and inpracticality of such vengeance, is the underlying thread questioning why the Jews did not launch more resistance against the Nazis, why they seemingly went like sheep to the slaughter.
Set against Max and the Nakam Team was Michael, the Hagannah soldier in the ranks of the Palestinian Jewish Brigade of the British Armed Forces (under the British Mandate of Palestine). Michael represents the common-sense Jewish resistance to the Jewish resistance!
So the main theme, question of the movie is, is it righteous, correct and practical to fight evil with evil? Or to maintain humanity in the battle against evil, in the struggle for humanity?
What would you do? What would you do if your family, everyone dear to you were murdered for no reason at all?
This was poignantly revealed in the characters discussing the immanent Nuremberg Trials: Will the Law just carry out symbolic and ineffective justice? Would justice not be well served with revenge equal to the Nazi atrocities - an eye for an eye?
The sub-question of why the Jews did not launch more resistance to the Nazi atrocities is answered clearly. Max and Anna answer this without excuses and explanations. Max reiterates, in a variety of situations, that to dream and to hope, to LIVE - are the answer.
His last comment in the film is the final answer to BOTH questions: to go home to Palestine, to live, to build lives and families.
Justice and vengeance were served.
This movie is a statement of and for humanity.
Of mention are the fine international (German, Dutch, Israeli, French) actors - all playing exquisitely in English. They are stunningly impressive and believable.
Brilliant all around on all levels. Thought provoking.
I was not familiar with the talented brothers, Writers/Directors Yoav Paz and Doron Paz. They created a gripping film of a highly sensitive chapter in history, a highly sensitive matter that bears great relevance to our times. They bring a message to humanity, making this film a must see: the dilemma between the desire for vengeance as justice, the seemingly righteousness of avenging the slaughter and genocide perpetrated by the Nazis, and the moral compass and conscience that "threatened" the success of the mission at hand.
Juxtaposed with the dilemma of vengeance, and the real inconceivability and inpracticality of such vengeance, is the underlying thread questioning why the Jews did not launch more resistance against the Nazis, why they seemingly went like sheep to the slaughter.
Set against Max and the Nakam Team was Michael, the Hagannah soldier in the ranks of the Palestinian Jewish Brigade of the British Armed Forces (under the British Mandate of Palestine). Michael represents the common-sense Jewish resistance to the Jewish resistance!
So the main theme, question of the movie is, is it righteous, correct and practical to fight evil with evil? Or to maintain humanity in the battle against evil, in the struggle for humanity?
What would you do? What would you do if your family, everyone dear to you were murdered for no reason at all?
This was poignantly revealed in the characters discussing the immanent Nuremberg Trials: Will the Law just carry out symbolic and ineffective justice? Would justice not be well served with revenge equal to the Nazi atrocities - an eye for an eye?
The sub-question of why the Jews did not launch more resistance to the Nazi atrocities is answered clearly. Max and Anna answer this without excuses and explanations. Max reiterates, in a variety of situations, that to dream and to hope, to LIVE - are the answer.
His last comment in the film is the final answer to BOTH questions: to go home to Palestine, to live, to build lives and families.
Justice and vengeance were served.
This movie is a statement of and for humanity.
Of mention are the fine international (German, Dutch, Israeli, French) actors - all playing exquisitely in English. They are stunningly impressive and believable.
Brilliant all around on all levels. Thought provoking.