Eid

Every aspect of the movie has been created with care, from the cinematography to the music, to the production design. Eid is the first movie directed by a Bedouin, and for that reason, I was curious to see it, but it’s far more than an interesting milestone in Israeli film history. It’s the debut of an extraordinarily talented filmmaker, Yousef Abo Madegem, and it tells a very particular story set in Rahat, the largest Bedouin city in Israel, with such skill and intensity that it transcends its setting and will have a universal appeal. Life in his community is about creating a family and supporting it. If there is trauma, if there has been abuse, it isn’t to be talked about and certainly not written about. It’s a complex story, and you’re with Eid from start to finish, hoping he can find a way to live and be true to himself. It’s much more than a film about a young man from a repressive culture who must break free. While this culture may be repressive, it’s Eid’s culture. Fleeing to some alien world, whether Paris or Tel Aviv, might bring some satisfaction, but it would also be a loss for him. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, the movie surprises you, often by showing an aspect of Eid’s character that was hidden until that point. But just as important, if not more, it’s a moving, entertaining drama that will keep you engrossed from start to finish, even if you’ve never thought much about Bedouin culture before.