In a divided city friendship is the last line of defense.
An exploration of the ancestors of Georg Hartmann, a German, and his Jewish partner Abby Kirban, both of whom live in Los Angeles. As the young couple dig up the pasts of their relatives, they learn that Abby’s grandfather worked in a bomb plant and her grandparents and their friends were young survivors of the Holocaust.
Georg’s father, on the other hand, was an active member in the Hitler Youth who became a Storm Trooper. These differences led Abby and Georg on a quest around the world that began as a personal journey but became an emotional and spiritual investigation into the stigmas of history.
“Close to Home” places the Israel-Palestine conflict into the background and the social lives of young Israeli female soldiers into the foreground. “Close to Home” is much more a story of life and growing up than one with a political message. It is not about governments but how the decisions of politicians and religious leaders set the stage for the drama that is young adulthood. The two central characters, Mirit and Smadar are thrown together by the commanding officer of their unit, and are made responsible for stopping Arabs on the streets of Jerusalem for ID cards.
But Smadar and Mirit couldn’t be more different. The two remain unfriendly until a bomb explosion creates a tenuous bond of friendship between the two. After the bombing, Mirit and Smadar are given an easier assignment checking bags at the entrance to a fancy hotel, but Mirit ignores her duties and takes off with a guest ultimately landing her in a military prison.
Mirit’s and Smadar’s passions and interests are surprisingly divorced from the Israel-Palestine conflict. The compulsory army service is seen as just another unpleasant hurdle to clear in order to start the adult portion of one’s life.
Close to Home – Karov La Bayit (2007)
Directed by: Vidi Bilu, Dalia Hager
Starring: Smadar Sayar, Naama Schendar, Danny Geva, Katia Zinbris, Sharon Reginiano, Sandra Schonwald, Irit Suki, Ami Weinberg, Anna Stephan, Ilanit Ben Yaakov
Screenplay by: Vidi Bilu, Dalia Hager
Cinematography by: Yaron Scharf
Film Editing by: Joel Alexis
Costume Design by: Li Alembik
Art Direction by: Avi Fahima
Music by: Jonathan Bar-Giora
Distributed by: IFC Films
Release Date: February 14, 2007
Visits: 71
