SEVEN DAYS AT ENTEBBE
UK/US, 2018, 107 minutes, Colour.
Batsheva Dance Company, Daniel Bruhl, Rosamund Pike, Lior Ashkenazy, Eddie Marsan, Dennis Menochet, Ben Schnetzer, Nonzo Anozie
Directed by Jose Padilha.
There were two films immediately after the hostage situation at Entebbe airport in 1976, pro-Palestinians terrorists hijacking the plane containing a number of Israeli citizens. One was more Hollywood style, Victory at Entebbe, the other with a focus on Israeli themes, Operation Thunderbolt.
This particular version focuses on the terrorists, especially to Germans, played by Daniel Bruhl and Rosamund Pike. Bruhl is a bookseller who follows the ideology and has moments of compassion. Rosamund Pike is a staunch and severe German, no compassion. An interesting performance from her.
The film shows the organisation of the hijacking, the process, landing in Entebbe, the intervention of Idi Amin and his negotiations with France and Israel, emphasising his self-importance, the holding of the hostages at the airport. In the meantime, the action goes to Israel, to Prime Minister Rabin (an interesting performance from Lior Ashkenazy), with Shimon Peres dissenting (Eddie Marsan). The film also shows the young soldiers preparing for the raid on Entebbe as well as the logistics for the attempt for the rescue.
The rescue takes place. The terrorists are killed. The hostages are saved – although a number of Ugandan troops were killed. The only Israeli killed, ironically, was the brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Of special interest (though criticised by many) is the Batsheva Dance performance recurring throughout the film, dramatising the siege.
The film was directed by Brazilian Jose Padhilla, an action director of City of God films as well as Robocop.
1. The fact of the raid on Entebbe in 1976, the hijacking, terrorists, intervention of the Jewish government and military, the consequences?
2. The film versions from the 1970s, re-enacting the events, the hijacking, the time in Uganda, the role of Idi Amin, Israel and its government, the range? The terrorists, German background, Palestinian cause?
3. The device of the dance company on stage, the style of dance and movement, corresponding to the action? The performance recurring throughout the film? The audience response at the end?
4. The 21st-century re-enactment? Israel, Prime Minister Rabin? The role of Shimon Peres? The decision, the plans, the military advice, the raid, casualties, Ugandans, the terrorists, one Israeli soldier – the irony of its being the brother of Benjamin Netanyahu?
5. The plane, the interiors, the airports? Jerusalem and the political offices? The locations for military training and practice? The musical score?
6. The terrorists, the casting of Daniel Bruhl and Rosamund Pike as terrorists? The bookseller and his quiet way of life, his motivations, going into action, leadership, but not wanting to kill anyone? His dialogue with the French pilot? The contrast with Ingrid, German national, hating Germany, ideologies? The relationship with the other terrorists? The end and her phoning him on the out of order phone? Her hard stances, firing shots, willing for people to be killed?
7. The flight, the role of the crew, the takeover, the signals, the pilot and reaction? The harsh treatment? The mother wanting the toilet for her little girl? The pregnant woman allowed to leave, her pretence, giving information to the authorities? The range of the passengers, French, Israelis, the presence of the nuns – and the nun offering to stay in place of a hostage?
8. The landing, the reaction of the Ugandan government, Idi Ami, the interviews? Locations at the airport? The separation of the Israelis? The treatment, the threats? The Frenchman and his being presumed to be Israeli, his being tortured? The French and the accommodation, more humane? The guards? The Palestinian guards and their talking, the torture of the Frenchman?
9. The signalling of each day, the growing urgency, discomfort for the hostages? Threats of the Israelis?
10. The Israeli cabinet, the business being interrupted, Rabin and his personality and role, ideas, decisions, consultations? Perez against the raid? The military and their sound advice, creating a scenario, the logistics and preparation, the training, be prepared, the human toll the young soldiers? The day is passing, the boat in the cabinet and Pérez consenting? The raid starting?
11. The days, the Palestinians talking, the Germans and harshness and lenience? The talking with the pilot? The raid, the arrival of the Israelis, the phone call to Germany, the wrong phone?
12. The raid, the Internet the sadness of the execution, the deaths of the Ugandan soldiers, the terrorists being killed quickly, the rescue?
13. Idi Amin, the myths about him, his trying to exercise diplomacy, the various allies, with Israel, with friends? Letting the French hostages go and taking credit?
14. News and television footage, seen in Israel, the families protesting about negotiating with terrorists?
15. The success, Rabin and satisfied?
16. The final comment at the time of making of this film, given the negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians?
