Writer & Director
Samuel Maoz
(LEBANON)

Stars
Lior Ashkenazi, Sarah Adler, Yonathan Shiray and Shira Haas

This multi award-winning Hebrew-spoken drama has been described as a philosophical puzzle by its writer & director Samuel Maoz, whose stunning debut film LEBANON (2009) gave a claustrophobic and powerful account of war from within the confines of an army tank. It’s a puzzle in which particular pieces correspond to his very own life.

In modern day Tel Aviv, affluent but troubled married couple Michael and Daphna Feldmann (Lior Ashkenazi and Sarah Adler) receive shocking news that shakes them to their very core. There has been a fatal incident at the distant military post that their son, Jonathan (Yonathan Shiray), an IDF soldier, is stationed at. As the Feldmanns come to terms with their tragic loss and deal with the grief, sadness and anger that follows, the whirlwind of emotions in their home triggers the revelation of long-buried secrets and unsaid feelings.

When films such as the recently released Russian drama LOVELESS, and the courageous South African movie THE WOUND are subject to some form of public persecution at the hands of government officials, insight worthy of sharing is a guarantee. After it won the coveted Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival, FOXTROT was denounced by Israel’s Minister of Culture for its depiction of a single yet shocking event.

Israel’s submission for the foreign language film award at the 90th Academy Awards (where it made the December short list but did not receive a nomination) is rendered in three episodes. The first of these is centred on Michael, whose calmer exterior is harbouring signs of an implosion. It is clear that something significant was already on his mind prior to the arrival of military authorities at his home. What could this be? And how does the seemingly distant and cold relationship he has with his mother contribute to the suppression of his emotions? The second episode moves across to Jonathan’s story in the lead up to the incident. As you might expect, there is a near-constant presence of suspense during this passage. However, the humour that is derived during this segment of the film, as the young men who guard this checkpoint seek various avenues of interest and entertainment, is pleasantly unexpected.

These first two episodes, which occupy most of FOXTROT’s 108 minute length, are both strongly acted, well directed and keep its audience genuinely caring for its characters and about its trajectory, despite being slower to progress than necessary. I will not reveal anything at all regarding the third and final episode of FOXTROT, but I will say that this section of the film is where your appreciation for the crafty structure of the screenplay and its deceptively layered story is truly found.

Strongly recommended.

3 ½ stars

Viewer Discretion
MA15+ (Strong sexualised imagery)

Trailer
FOXTROT

Moviedoc thanks Sharmill Films for the invite to the screening of this film

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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