Cultural Film Analysis PDF

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Movie film Maktub is reviewed and analyzed in a broad view with connections to the Middle East...

Description

Dr.Davies Geography 351

5 July 2020

Analysis of Israeli Film: Maktub Maktub is an Israeli dark comedy that brings out the best of two men who change their ways to help others' prayers come true. This film touches on a number of issues that deal with some of the cultural perspectives that take place in the real world. Terrorisim, sexisim, religion, the mob, familyhood, and many other instances. This heartwarming movie shows a great deal of dedication to the craft of cinema and comedy. The importance of culture is hit on abundantly as it is an aspect that defines who these people are. Maktub displays a great emphasis on Israel and Jerusalem with its witty charm and strong themes.

Maktub takes place in present day Jerusalem where two mobsters, Chuma and Steve, visit their restaurant clients and are caught up in a bomb attack. Before leaving town and their old lives behind they obtain a briefcase of money from the attack. They realize how lucky and grateful they are for surviving by visiting the wailing wall or Western wall to make others' written prayers come true. First by helping a man with his lovelife, a woman with her son's bar mitzvah, a woman getting a doctor appointment, and along the way figuring out their own lives. This film has many twists and turns but it is consistent and keeps you wanting to see more out of

every scene. The setting of the film takes place all over Jereusalem and displays both good and bad areas depending on the scene. One of the most prominent and important is the Wailing Wall or Kotel as locals call it. It has an atmosphere unlike any other in the film, it is displayed as a very spiritual and beautiful place. The spirituality of the film is clear and there is a strong sense of the divine and doing the right thing. Steve and Chuma demonstrate the power of acting upon the divine plan and its importance. The plan of God and the divine are what make up the name of the film, “Maktub” meaning “it is written”. The film shows such strong themes of identity throughout and demonstrates the importance of culture and spirituality. The wailing wall, a bar mitzvah, and Israeli cuisine help illustrate who these characters are. The use of cuisine in the film is very abundant, almost every scene has food and drinks involved. It’s actually very interesting how much food is consumed throughout the film as it contextualizes the characters and how important it is for their culture. Kebabs, falafel, coffee, many Israeli snacks and plenty of food and drinks as props. When Chuma and Steve aren't eating they are always mentioning it and it becomes very comedic throughout the film. A wide array of Israeli dishes and ingredients are culturally significant to the time and setting of this film.

The film is written by the actors who play Steve and Chuma, Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon. The director Oded Raz doesn't have any other films or noteworthy accomplishments but this film has a much more perspective than most dark comedies. It embraces a almost Pulp Fiction kind of style and the use of themes and motifs are strong. Raz encapsulates his audience

by this perspective and it works to Chuma and Steve's abilities. As the time period of this film is 2017, it shows many present day themes mainly cultural with little to do with politics.

Maktub is a film that contextualizes the setting and culture of Jereusalem very well. It touches upon a number of issues and really gives a perspective of the time and place. The strength of the characters is reinforced by the use of many cultural items such as cuisine. This clever and witty film has such a powerful use of themes and encourages new perspectives and observations about Jerusalem and Israeli people....