The Band's Visit

“The Band’s Visit,” an enjoyable first film by Israeli director Eran Kolirin, seems to be saying that reconciliation in the Middle East may be possible if people are willing to persevere beyond the first awkward hurdle. But this is not a political film. It’s about the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Band, brightly costumed in robin’s egg blue, who have come to Israel to play at the opening of an Arab cultural center. However, they arrive in the wrong town and are unable to catch a bus out until the following morning. They are aided by a sympathetic bar owner Dina (Ronit Elkabetz), who convinces some of her customers to provide a place for the band members to sleep. This is the context for some amusing, unusual, and even heartbreaking encounters. And the pervading loneliness in setting, characters, and situations suggests that there is a longing for something just out of reach and perhaps that something is peace. This is a ‘small’ film that is certainly worth seeing. Subtitles. (2/11/08)