The 90 Minute War

In this sharp-edged political mockumentary, a century of intractable conflict between Israel and Palestine is going to be settled once and for all . . . on the soccer field. The region’s leaders, in a desperate attempt, have agreed that one 90-minute match will determine the fate of two peoples: Winner gets to stay, loser goes away. “And no whining.” As absurd as the premise is, gifted writer/director Eyal Halfon (What a Wonderful Place, SFJFF 2006) commits fully to his speculative scenario to create a dark and unsettling satire. His cameras follow the managers of the Israeli and Palestinian soccer federations—played by the marvelous seriocomic actors Moshe Ivgy (Cup Final, SFJFF 1992, Metallic Blues, SFJFF 2005) and Norman Issa (the memorable lead of Festival perennial favorite Arab Labor)—as they maneuver for every possible advantage to win the high-stakes game, even while resenting the epic political burden that has befallen them. Suddenly every detail has historic magnitude: Who will be a neutral referee? What countries are secretly helping the teams train? And what about the talented Arab fullback who plays for Israel—where are his loyalties? In a deft feint, Halfon’s satire has something serious to say about the contested issues that divide two peoples. —Peter L. Stein

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