An Israeli film about an Arab band reminds us that love conquers all
A gentle and humane comedy filled with compassion for the human condition, The Band's Visit is a beautiful film that shows us how to free ourselves from the boundaries of race.
Directed by Israeli filmmaker Eran Kolirin, the movie tells the story of an Arab band from the Egyptian police force who visit Israel to play at the inaugural ceremony of an Arab cultural centre.
Due to a mix-up over names, the band members take the wrong bus and are left stranded in a small town somewhere in the middle of a desert, where, according to Dina (Ronit Elkabetz), an attractive restaurant owner, there is 'no Arab culture, no Israeli culture and no culture at all'. Welcome to Bet Hatikva.
Led by the stern and upright Lieutenant Colonel Tewfiq Zacharya (Sasson Gabai), the hungry band members spend the night with local residents.
Some stay with Dina while others sleep in the home of an unemployed man, whose wife is obviously unhappy about the intrusion of strangers.
Nothing particularly eventful happens. But as the night wears on, the comedy gradually becomes profound and touching as the foreigners interact with the townspeople.