“Youth creates an acrid vision of a country under economic and military stress, as the middle class is disappearing and the proliferation of arms is putting assault weapons in the hands of teenagers. In Mr. Shoval’s grim view, Israel is under siege from within.” (New York Times)

Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman, The Revenant) says: “As soon as you see the eyes and features of both main young actors in Youth, you recognize the deep sight and nobility of Tom Shoval.” Teen brothers Yaki and Shaul live with their parents in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv. Their father has lost his job and has descended into a deep depression, and the family is on the brink of losing their home. The boys feel they must do something—and the gun Yaki carries (he is doing his military service) empowers them to decide to kidnap one of Shaul’s wealthy classmates. They hide the girl in an abandoned cellar and then place a call demanding a huge ransom for her release. But they’ve forgotten that today is Shabbat and their victim’s orthodox family will not answer the phone. Soon, time starts to run out…