“A fine drama whose seemingly casual progress only heightens its ultimate impact.” (Variety)
“Beautiful, romantic, and cinematic, as well as historically interesting.” (Jerusalem Post)
Ethiopian-Israeli writer-director Aäläm-Wärqe Davidian’s stunning debut narrative draws on her own memories of growing up in war-torn Ethiopia. It is the mid 1980s, and 16-year-old Mina’s country has been fighting a civil war her entire life. Her family is Jewish and is planning to flee to Israel, where her mother awaits their reunion. But Mina is devastated to know that joining her mother means leaving behind her Christian boyfriend, Eli, who lives in the woods to avoid being drafted into Mengistu Haile Mariam’s army. Filmmaker Davidian’s approach is unsentimental but very human as it focuses on Mina’s plight, offering us a rare view of the cruel impact of civil war on the lives of ordinary people. Winner, Ophir Award for Best Cinematography.
