The Israelis and the Palestinians don’t like one another. There, in that one ridiculously simplistic statement, is the total sum of my knowledge regarding the Israel/Palestine conflict. Being that it is set in Beirut immediately prior to the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, I imagined that my ignorance in regards to both the conflict and its origins might conspire to make Zaytoun something of an uphill struggle. Fortunately, Eran Riklis’ warm, optimistic picture uses said conflict as a backdrop to a far more universal tale.
Shortly after the death of his father during a bombing raid, a young Palestinian refugee named Fahed (Abdallah El Akal) finds himself part of a group who capture downed Israeli fighter pilot Yoni (Stephen Dorff). Determined to visit his birthplace and plant his father’s olive tree there as tribute, Fahed frees Yoni on condition that he be allowed to accompany him back to Israel.
Given the setting, I had imagined a weightier, worthier film than Zaytoun turned out to be. It starts in a fairly stark manner, the barrage of hatred and violence heaped on Fahed and his fellow Palestinian refugees is delivered in horribly casual manner, with grim, devastating tragedies presented as merely day-to-day trials for the young boy and his friends. However, once Fahed and Yoni begin their journey together the tone shifts dramatically, becoming instead a gentle and persuasive character drama. That this odd couple will gradually come to be friends is blindingly obvious from the start, cliché as it is, but the journey itself is surprisingly effective and touching.
Key to the movie’s success in this regard are the two central performances. Dorff, an actor I’ve long considered underrated and one who is seemingly forever on the cusp of respectability and mainstream success, is excellent. Hardened and hostile from the off, he’s not a character an audience might instantly warm to, but this just makes his gradual thawing towards his young ward all the more heartwarming. It’s a terrific, understated performance from a fine actor who deserves better roles.
Zaytoun‘s greatest strength, though, lies with its other protagonist, Abdallah El Akal, who gives a remarkably soulful, mature performance as Fahed. He’s delightful from start to finish, with both wonderful comic timing and genuine dramatic chops.
Without the fantastic chemistry between the two leads Zaytoun might be rather forgettable, as stories go it is incredibly slight and low on actual incident. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, where over movies might force unwieldy scenarios in to quicken the pace, Zaytoun is confident enough in its two leads and magnificent scenery to take a leisurely pace and allow its relationships to grow organically, right through to its beautifully bittersweet, heartfelt conclusion.
Zaytoun may seem slight compared to more heavyweight, Hollywood fare. Rather it’s the sort of gentle, thoughtful, character driven drama that you don’t see a lot of anymore, shorn of unnecessary melodrama and histrionics, it’s one of those perfect lazy Sundays afternoon films.
Zaytoun is out on DVD 8th April 2013.
Director: Eran Riklis
Stars: Stephen Dorff, Abdallah El Akal, Ali Suliman
Runtime: 110 min
Country: UK, Israel
Film Rating: 
