Khalifa Natour Movies
When the Ceremonial Police Band of Alexandria, Egypt, journeys to a gig in Israel, they can hardly anticipate getting stuck in a rut. But upon arrival at the Israeli airport, their hosts and transportation fail to show. So begins first-time director Eran Kolirin's fish-out-of-water comedy The Band's Visit (aka Bikur Hatizmoret, 2007). Trapped in a middle-of-nowhere desert town, the group members try to figure out what to do and where to go. In desperation, two of the musicians -- conductor Tawfiq (Sasson Gabai) and playboy Haled (Saleh Bakri) -- accept an invitation from sexy café owner Dina (Ronit Elkabetz) to bunk at her residence, and seemingly within no time, the unlikeliest of interracial (Israeli-Palestinian) romances begin to blossom -- not only between Tawfiq and Dina, but between Haled and local wallflower Papi (Shlomi Avraham), whose night together at a roller disco turns into a veritable comedy of errors. Meanwhile, the remainder of the bandmembers room with local resident Itzik's (Rubi Moscovich) family, which produces overwhelming conflict and innumerable tensions. As the days roll on, the co-mingling of Egyptian bandmembers and Israeli residents imparts each individual with insights into his cultural identity and that of the others. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sasson Gabai, Ronit Elkabetz, (more)
Rana (Clara Khoury) is a young Palestinian woman, living in Jerusalem. Her father (Zuher Fahoum) is moving to Egypt, and he knows that Rana does not want to go with him. He thinks she's too young to get married, but he gives her a choice; she can go with him, or she can marry one of the men on a list he's compiled of acceptable bachelors. On the morning of her father's departure, Rana sneaks out of the house and goes to meet Khalil (Khalifa Natour), the man she loves, as they had arranged. But a bombing the night before has kept Khalil from coming to Jerusalem, so Rana has to navigate a treacherous bureaucratic labyrinth of checkpoints and armed guards to reach Khalil at the theater where he works in Ramallah. When she finally gets there, her troubles are far from over. Her plan is for Khalil to marry her, but because she's underage, they find they need her father's permission. Together with Khalil's friend, Ramzy (Ismael Dabbag), the couple must drive back to Jerusalem, pick up the registrar to officiate, and convince her father to let her marry Khalil. As the deadline grows closer -- her father is taking an afternoon flight -- Rana ponders her decision to marry and to stay in Jerusalem, and wonders whether or not she's doing the right thing. Rana's Wedding was written and directed by Hany Abu-Assad, who also made the 2002 documentary Ford Transit. Both films were shown at the 2003 Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, where Abu-Assad was awarded the Nestor Almendros Prize for courage in filmmaking. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clara Khoury, Khalifa Natour, (more)
- 1995
A young boy sets forth on an almost magical quest in this Palestinian children's drama set on the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. The boy, 12-year old Youssef, like his friends, lives in a broken home comprised of his mother, a fugitive brother, and a father who has been imprisoned by the Israelis. One day, pretty young Aida tells them a story about a family necklace imported from South America that is missing three jewels. To impress her, Youssef swears that he will find the missing stones. As he quests, the lad learns important messages about life and spiritual values. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
