Campfire (2004)

The story of one woman's personal battle for acceptance, but also a portrait of a political movement that has forever affected millions of lives in the Middle East.

Director:

Joseph Cedar

Writer:

Joseph Cedar

Stars:

Michaela Eshet, Hani Furstenberg, Moshe Ivgy

8 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michaela Eshet	...	Rachel Gerlik
Hani Furstenberg	...	Tami Gerlik
Moshe Ivgy	...	Yossi
Maya Maron	...	Esti
Assi Dayan	...	Motkeh
Oshri Cohen	...	Rafi
Yehoram Gaon	...	Moshe Weinstock
Yehuda Levi	...	Yoel
Avi Grainik	...	Oded
Idit Teperson	...	Shula (as Edith Teperson)
Itay Turgeman	...	Gozlan
Barak Lizork	...	Yaniv
Danny Zahavi	...	Ilan
Dina Senderson	...	Inbal
Ofer Seker	...	Yair

Storyline

Israeli Rachel Gerlik has been widowed for one year. Despite not ever having loved her husband, she feels she now needs to move on with her life. She plans to sell his car, which has not been touched in that year. She starts dating again, solely on blind dates set up by her friend Shula Kupfer, first with the insecure Yossi Moraly and then with renowned cantor Moshe Weinstock. Most importantly in Rachel's plan is to be accepted into the founding group of a new ideologically-based West Bank settlement yet to be built, the acceptance committee chaired by Shula's husband, Motkeh Kupfer, considered one of the most important figures in religious Zionism. She has many factors working against her in being accepted, most specifically there not being a man in the household. Regardless, Rachel and her family are accepted on a trial basis. Her family consists of two teen-aged daughters, Esti and Tami, both who believe that their mother has lost touch with the realities of their lives, especially...

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Plot Keywords:

west bank | settlement | youth group | widow | israeli | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

official site [Israel] (Hebrew, English)

Country:

Israel

Language:

Hebrew English

Release Date:

9 September 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Campfire

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Post Production Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is set in 1981 and takes place in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Bayit Va-Gan (per the film's official press kit).

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Goofs

When Rachel comes home after her meeting with the founding committee, when Tammy has locked herself in her room and Rachel is talking to Esti in the Living Room, the shots of Rachel show her with her hands cupped over the top of a soda pop bottle, but the shots of Esti (from behind Rachel) show Rachel's hands cupped on her knapsack on the table.

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Quotes

[subtitled version]
Yossi Moraly: I know you're waiting for someone better than me. I can even understand it. I just want you to know that I love you. I think you're a very special woman.
[there is a long silence]
Yossi Moraly: It's okay. You don't have to answer me. Good night.
Rachel Gerlik: Good night.
[Rachel turns to walk away then stops]
Rachel Gerlik: I'm not waiting for someone better than you. Don't even say that. You're the nicest person I've ever met.
Yossi Moraly: So what are you waiting for?
Rachel Gerlik: I don't know. I'm waiting to fall in love. I'm 42 years old and ...
[...]

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Connections

Features Operation Thunderbolt (1977)

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Soundtracks

Hashmal Zorem Be-Chapot Yadecha
Lyrics by Yoram Taharlev
Music by Nurit Hirsch
Arranged by Jonathan Bar-Giora
Performed by Riki Gal

User Reviews

A Must See movie for all

I just saw this movie tonight as part of the Seattle International Film Festival and I knew to expect something great because it won the best feature film "Ophir" in Israel (like Oscar award). I was pleasantly surprised that it was more than just the simple story that is described in the synopsis. It is a human story with a lot of heart. The movie explores falling in love from three different perspectives. It includes all the emotions that go with it. It also shows three different approaches to dealing with the opposite sex and it seems they each learn a bit from each other. The message is universal but the film is unique. Go see it!