TIME OF FAVOR/ HA-HESDER
Israel, 2000, 102 minutes, Colour.
Aki Avni, Tinkerbell,Idan Alterman, Assi Dayan.
Directed by Josef Cedar.
Time of Favor is an Israeli film which was made before the Intifada of 2000 and the events of 11 September, 2000. However, it was released afterwards.
The focus is on Israel and a settlement on the West Bank. It shows a group of young zealots who are inspired by the charismatic Rabbi Meltzer (played by veteran Israeli actor Assi Dayan, son of the celebrated General Moishe Dayan). One of the young men wants to marry the daughter of the rabbi. However, she is attracted to yet another member of the group.
The Secret Service fear that the rabbi will lead his young men to terrorist acts. When one of them does, the young woman's boyfriend is chosen to lead the Secret Service into the tunnels under Jerusalem to try to apprehend the maverick terrorist and to stop an explosion in the city.
The film is interesting in it setting up a scenario of terrorism within Israeli camps, rather than in terms of Arab-Israeli? clashes. The film is written and directed by Josef Cedar, who grew up and trained in the United States. Cedar was going to direct several significant film is, performed, Footnote, Oppenheimer Strategies.
The film is average in its acting, dramatic tension and presentation. However, it is the characters and issues, the insight into aspects of Israeli life, fears and aggression which make the film worth seeing.
1. A significant film of 2000, drawing together Israel’s history and conflicts up till the new century, the new millennium? The status of conflict in 2000? The Intifada? The consequent conflicts and tensions in the 21st century?
2. The director, Israeli background, American background, his views of Israel, its politics, religious influences and politics, his sensitivity to Israeli life?
3. Jerusalem, the city, the different districts, more religious, more secular? The details of the city, homes, streets? Political and religious tensions?
4. The Israeli authorities, their concern about the rabbi, his followers, religious intensity, possible fanaticism, potential for violence within the community?
5. The character of the Rabbi, played Assi Dayan (and the political background his father, Moishe Dayan)? His influence, his teaching? Age and experience? Love for his daughter? His ambitions for Menachem? His admiration for Pini and his academic talent, commissioned for the marriage?
6. The army, observing the Rabbi? Mossad and its also observing him? Apprehensiveness about his ambitions, his military moves?
7. The movement for praying on the Temple Mount, his managing of the Yeshiva, the students, peaceful expects, militarism?
8. The film moving into the modes of the thriller, Menachem and his platoon, promoted, the better men, but the images of the bomb, suicide bombers and their motivations?
9. The Rabbi’s daughter, a not being interested in Pini, her being more interested in Menachem?
10. The rabbi observing this, the scholar, his attitude towards Menachem, the movement, some jealousy, military moves?
11. Menachem and Michal, together, the conflict with the rabbi? Michal and her father’s choice of Pini to marry, without regard for her own views, Her interpreting this as his not having any personal love for her?
12. The effect of the influence of Michal on Menachem, his love for her, being able to give up the rabbi’s ambitions, become more humane, achieve an appropriate manhood?
13. An interesting picture of Israel at the turn of the millennium, the focus on internal politics and policies rather than relationships with the Palestinians?
