Ajami details
| Format: | 15 DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Fouad Habash, Nisrine Rihan, Elias Saba, Youssef Sahwani, Abu George Shibli |
| Directors: | Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani |
| Genres: | Drama - Crime, General, World Cinema - African |
| Studio: | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Ajami |
15 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 2 hours |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 14 Feb 2011 |
| Main languages: | Arabic, Hebrew |
| Subtitles: | English |
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Most helpful review
Brilliant
By a customer from Brighton , 17 Feb 2011[Highly rated reviewer]
Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani collaborate on this independent drama, examining the troubled relationship between Israel and Palestine and how everyday lives are affected in the troubled Middle East. Nasri (Fouad Habash) is a teenager whose family is in crisis: his uncle got into an altercation with a local crime boss, and in reprisal, his cousin has been murdered. The shooters, it seems, originally intended to kill Nasri's younger brother, Omar (Shahir Kabaha), in lieu of the cousin. Abu Elias (Youssef Sahwani), a restaurateur and respected member of the community, steps in to negotiate. Omar agrees to make a cash payment to the gangsters to prevent further violence, but since he doesn't have the money, he raises it by dealing drugs. Abu has a daughter, Hadir (Ranin Karim), who works at his restaurant; she's fallen in love with Omar, but since she's Christian and he's Muslim, they can't acknowledge their feelings in public. Also working at the restaurant is Malek (Ibrahim Frege), a 16-year-old illegal immigrant who is looking for any kind of job to help pay for his mother's medical treatments. And elsewhere, Dando (Eran Naim) is a policeman drawn into the chaotic life of Binj (Scandar Copti), a suspected drug dealer who has been arrested for attacking a Jewish neighbour; Dando is also preoccupied with the fate of his brother, who has suddenly gone missing.
AJAMI is a truly exciting drama in the vein of great ensemble films like BABEL and CRASH.- Was this review helpful to you?
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All reviews
(10)incredibly powerful
By filmamateur (69 reviews) , 18 Jun 2013A intimate vision of lives that are always generalised in the news, an all important movie with a mixed Israeli/Palestinian direction for a little hope in this bleak reality- Was this review helpful to you?
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Highly recommend
By a customer , 08 Dec 2012A really good film which builds up chapter by chapter. Far superior to a lot of the topical rubbish which is screened in the UK. Highly recommend- Was this review helpful to you?
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The real under belly of the underclass in Jaffa....
By twosoddingcats (222 reviews) from Kingston-upon-Thames , 05 Mar 2012Reminded me a lot of Amores Perros and City of God. Jaffa is the rougher end of Tel Aviv (although more Israeli's are moving there and the rents are rising) and Ajani is the Palestinian area in Jaffa....although mixed with Christian and Muslim Palestinian's. This film highlights the problem with bedouin gang violence and crime, the fact Christians would never marry a Muslim even within the Palestinian community and the cost of healthcare in Israel (the son has to raise funds to pay for his mother's bone marrow transplant). There's also an interesting subplot regarding a Palestinian who has a Jewish girlfriend and tries to identify with the Jewish community more bringing into question the pressures a certain ethnic identity can have. It also touches on the very real problem of illegal workers - I think the drugs really take a second seat here and all the other issues are far more interesting and important. One of those must watch films.- Was this review helpful to you?
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An absolute must see!!
By a customer , 30 Oct 2011This film brings a refreshingly new perspective on the Israeli/Palestinian 'issue'. Rather than focusing on foreign policy and squables over land, it zooms down to the day-to-day life of a mixed Muslim, Jewish, Christian community in Tel Aviv. It's a real eye-opener to the crime, poverty and mutual hatred that rules the lives of so many, but also the hope and humanity that manage to prevail. The cast are all non-professional actors and at times this shows. However, you've got to love and admire what the directors have achieved with their unorthodox approach. Brilliant throughout!- Was this review helpful to you?
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What a World!
By buffyrules (345 reviews) from southend on sea , 25 Jul 2011Amongst many achievments this film highlights one of the most intense and dangerous parts of the world and the daily problems that occur. Filmed brilliantly to add to the intensity the 'actors' all do a great job and deliver a realistic and clever set of stories. Very Good.- Was this review helpful to you?
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