Kidon – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
In January 2010 Hamas operative Mahmoud al Mabhouh was found dead in his Dubai hotel room. The local police accused the Mossad and released security-camera footage showing supposed Israeli agents caught on tape, immediately making worldwide headlines.
This actual news story is the basis for an imaginative interpretation.. The film opens with the shocked top echelon of the Mossad denying knowledge of the hit and follows its efforts to discover exactly who did in a furious race against time. All stops are pulled to track down the perpetrators.
Using photographs taken from the hotel’s security cameras, they soon hone in on Daniel (Tomer Sisley) and his cohorts including the computer whizz, Facebook (Kev Adams), and the sexual bait, Einav (Bar Rafaeli). As interviews progress and the hit is reconstructed , things get complicated as machinations are revealed.
In fashioning a really good yarn from fact, writer/director Emmanuel Naccache presents a classic caper comedy with more twists than a giant pretzel. It’s fun, fast and romantic and it is not often an Israeli movie can be described in such light-hearted terms.
All the actors play their roles really well including veteran Israeli actor Sasson Gabay as chief interviewer. The music propels the action along and the opening credits are really well done. Model Bar Rafaeli adds a touch of glamour. I was fascinated by the huge screen in headquarters, where images are changed by passing a hand over it – like using an iphone screen.
Kidon is the name of a department within Israel’s Mossad that is allegedly responsible for the execution of opponents.
89 mins France/Israel 2013 in Hebrew, French with English subtitles
Starring Tomer Sisley, Lionel Abelanski, Kev Adams, Sasson Gabay, Bar Rafaeli
Directed and written by Emmanuel Naccache
This film is featured in the Israeli Film Festival about to open nationally.
www.aiceisraelifilmfestival.com for details in all states
