Private (2004)

A Palestinian family is trapped inside a house commandeered by Israeli soldiers.

Director:

Saverio Costanzo

Writers:

Saverio Costanzo, Sayed Kashua

Stars:

Mohammad Bakri, Lior Miller, Hend Ayoub

12 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Mohammad Bakri	...	Mohammad B. (as Mohammed Bakri)
Lior Miller	...	Commander Ofer
Hend Ayoub	...	Mariam B.
Tomer Russo	...	Private Eial
Areen Omari	...	Samiah B.
Marco Alsaying	...	Jamal B.
Sara Hamzeh	...	Sarah B.
Karem Emad Hassan Aly	...	Karem B.
Amir Hasayen	...	Amir B.
Niv Shafir	...	Private Dan
Sahar Lachmy	...	Private Ariel

Storyline

A Palestinian family with five children lives outside town, near Israeli settlements. Samia, the wife, wants to leave; so does one teen son. Mohammad, the patriarch, is adamant that he is staying. Two of his adolescent children want to fight. His is the passive aggression of non-violent witness. Israeli soldiers burst into the home, taking over the second floor. At night, the family is locked in the living room. We see the effects of the occupation on the children and on the marriage. Through the eyes of Miriam, the older daughter, we watch the soldiers from her hiding place. Jamal, the eldest son, sets a trap with a grenade. Characters call upon Allah. Chaos and death are close.

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Plot Keywords:

israeli | soldier | israeli soldier | palestine | palestinian | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was chosen by Italy to represent the nation for the Accademy Award best foreign movie. The Accademy refused the movie because was not performed in Italian.

User Reviews

Home, the Most Sacred Place of a Family

In the South of Palestine, the idealistic Professor Mohammad (Mohammed Bakri) is a family man that lives with his wife and five children a simple life in an isolated house. His wife Samia (Areen Omari) wants to leave Palestine but her husband refuses to emigrate to another country and become a refugee. One night, Israeli soldiers commanded by the paranoid Commander Ofer (Lior Miller) break in their house and the peaceful Mohammad needs to control his family that wants to react against the Israeli aggression.

"Private" is a heartbreaking and dramatic story about a Palestinian that has their home, that is supposed to be the safest and the most sacred place of a family, invaded by Israeli soldiers that threaten and humiliate them. The direction and performances are top-notch and the film gives the sensation of documentary. The abusive relationship of the Israeli soldiers with the Palestinian family is very similar to the Nazis and Jews in World War II, Serbs and Croats in the Yugoslav Wars or American and Iraqis in the recent invasion and happens since the very beginning of mankind history between who is in control and who is controlled by the Power that Be. Sad, but it is the reality. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Violação de Domicílio" ("Home Violation")

Details

Official Sites:

Distributor site Official site

Country:

Italy

Language:

Arabic English Hebrew

Release Date:

14 January 2005 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Domicilio privado

Filming Locations:

Riace, Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,987, 20 November 2005

Gross USA:

$15,811

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,595,697

Company Credits

Production Co:

Istituto Luce, Offside, Cydonia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 125 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1