The Collaborator and His Family (2011) User Reviews

Excellent Movie

[laly-david · 10/10 · 6 December 2011]

I enjoyed this movie very much. I usually do not see too many documentary movies and have rather little appetite for it, and still I loved this one. Despite the "heavy" subject it magically manages to show the humor and family intimacy in the most awkward situations. While it generally deals with very specific consequences of the middle east conflict, it is very much about the daily conflicts that we all share. About parenthood, marriage, family conflicts and resolution and the surprises that life holds for us. Beautifully shot and directed with an extremely gentle touch. A weird mix of tragedy and comedy motives. Highly recommended!

Amazing film Thank you!

[leealtmann · 9/10 · 7 April 2012]

Amazing film, Brilliant story telling. I am visiting Israel and heard about these two filmmakers and just watched their film - The Collaborator and His Family. It took me a while to find it since the Hebrew name is Completely different. After watching it I couldn't breath for an hour and couldn't stop talking about it for two days. I haven't seen such a grabbing and heart breaking family story which made me identify deeply although the circumstances are so far from my life .Thank you , Thank you, Thank you for a superb cinema. You gave these family an opportunity they never had, to come out as human being. Great Job! Now I can't wait to watch your other films Barash and Shatz.-- Respect!!!

outstanding work

[atzkaroy · 9/10 · 8 August 2011]

I've seen many docs this year but this one stayed with me. Their previous work The Garden, which I adore is remarkable , but I think this one is even stronger, with it's unique look on the middle eastern conflict and the strength of the human spirit. The film tells the story of a collaborator from Palestine who collaborated with the Israeli secret service while he abandon his identity and chose to betray his own people , but he was also betrayed by the Israelis whom he worked for. the film deals with the consequences of constant war and how it creates new society through the look on the next generation- the children of the collaborator . The directors manage to show an intimate, cleaver story with unbelievable excess. Beautifully shot and edited . Highly recommended!!!

Not a great film

[ninthermidor · 5 August 2012]

An interesting film but one that lacks any reference to or context of the Zionist occupation of Palestine and the ongoing dispossession of the indigenous Palestinian people. This is the "heavy" subject which is completely avoided but which is the root cause of this family's struggle. Why is this topic avoid? It's obvious to any honest observer. Because the Palestinian people are being expelled from their land as are all indigenous people who are subjected to colonization, And their resistance is called "terrorism." So we get "gushing" reviews here about these poor people for which we are made to feel sympathy but what do we have when the film is over? Nothing except our pity and best wishes. Is that what the film makers wanted? Probably. It's meaningless bunk.