The Bands Visit
PG-13 Dir Eran Kolirin, featuring Sasson Gabai, Ronit Elkabetz, Saleh Bakri
By Ruth Hessey
When a small film travels far, it usually does so in the company of words like "joyous" and "bitter sweet", if not "little gem". These operate like flags sent up to warn off purveyors of Disney adventures and action films. Rarely are words like "achingly slow", and "event-free" in evidence. So be warned. The Band's Visit comes to you from the parched back blocks of Israel, the leading man is at least 60, and the heart throb (Saleh Bakri) has only one come on line - "Do you like Chet Baker?"
The Egyptian Ceremonial Police Orchestra arrives in Israel to help celebrate the opening of an Arab Cultural Centre, but no one is there to greet them, and when the conductor (Sasson Gabai) phones for assistance, he's put on hold so many times he gives up. Kitted out in gold and blue, the band sets off for the town where they are supposed to play, but arrives somewhere else entirely. Luckily for the band, the one and only café is run by the local sexpot (Ronit Elkabetz) .
First-time director Eran Kolirin uses the camera like a seasoned filmmaker and achieves performances which are equally graceful. But the best thing about it is the combination of humour and feeling. When the orchestra finally gets a chance to play, and the gnarled Gabai sings, the story finishes with a wonderfully moving flourish.