Live and Become [2005] Movie Reviews on CinemaClock

If this film does not get nominated for "Best Foreign Film" at least, I'll know once and for all that the Oscars are worth absolutely nothing. This is an extremely powerful and moving film about life inside of Israel for minority Jews. But it's more than that - it's an exploration of identity, culture, religion and acceptance. It follows the story of Schlomo, an Ethiopian Falasha Jew, (who is actually Christian) one of thousands airlifted out of Ethiopia and "returned" to Israel in the 1980's and his story of adjustment and survival and ultimately of acceptance of his own identity. There's a deeper message in this movie - one of the healing power of love and memory. The entire cast is first-rate but the real incendiary presence in this film if Yael Abecassis, Schlomo's Israeli foster mother giving a passionate, heartfelt performance if I've ever seen one. Please see this movie before it leaves, you won't regret it and if you're in the mood for a movie which makes you think and feel- this is the one for you.