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Close to Home

Play trailer Poster for Close to Home Released Feb 16, 2007 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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69% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Smadar (Smadar Sayar) and Mirit (Naama Schendar) are teenage girls serving in the Israeli military. Though the girls are uncomfortable with or indifferent to their duty, they treat one another with distrust. However, when an explosion in their neighborhood leads to tragedy, Smadar and Mirit begin to form a true friendship.
Close to Home

What to Know

Critics Consensus

While Close to Home devotes too much time chastising military service, its female perspective is unique and refreshing.

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Critics Reviews

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Linda Barnard Toronto Star While Close to Home follows a predictable path in its story, it's not without its charms, much of it down to the very believable portrayal of the young soldiers who view many of their duties with the world-weariness of terminally bored teens. Rated: 2.5/4 May 18, 2007 Full Review Kamal Al-Solaylee Globe and Mail Both [main actresses] show their characters' growth while steadfastly and, sadly, unsuccessfully trying to hold on to the last vestiges of their innocence. If that's not the real tragedy of life in the Middle East, I don't know what is. Rated: 3/4 May 18, 2007 Full Review Patrick Peters Empire Magazine A slyly subversive insight into the role of women in the Israeli military, this is a surprisingly compassionate satire that makes its political points without resorting to caricature. Rated: 3/5 May 7, 2007 Full Review Hannah Brown Jerusalem Post An engaging, straightforward look at female soldiers guarding the center of Jerusalem during the current intifada. Rated: 3/4 Mar 22, 2016 Full Review Jennie Kermode Eye for Film Rated: 4/5 Dec 7, 2007 Full Review Jordan Hiller Bangitout.com Our wide eyed, angel faced chayalot drift hypnotized toward the center of the chaos and we realize that in Israel, there cannot be a movie about just regular teenage girls Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 2, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (49) audience reviews
dave s Close to Home is an insightful, albeit uneventful, look at military life as lived by teenage girls in Jerusalem. As they fulfil their mandatory service, a group of young women patrol the streets of the city demanding identification from citizens, all while trying to avoid their uncomfortable assignments by wasting time eating lunch, smoking cigarettes and window-shopping. The film focuses on the relationship between a specific pairing and the bond that is formed through the boredom and discomfort of the job. While not much actually happens over the course of the movie, it provides an interesting insight into the day-to-day life on the streets of Israel and the disillusioned soldiers who provide security. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Uneven film can't decide at times if it wants to be a comedy or a drama. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This Movie info is half wrong. Mirit begs for the transfer and Smadar is the rebel that doesnt want to work. Mirit sides with the officer not Smadar. Anyways I think is an ok movie. I watch it to learn Hebrew but is not my favorite Hebrew movie. watch Broken Wings or Lebanon for something deep. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member A peek into the daily life of Israel from the point of view of 2 18 year old women serving their compulsory service. Educational... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member An earnest glimpse into the relationship between two young Israeli women and their street duties for the IDF. I was instantly won over by our seemingly mismatched leads and appreciated its unhurried approach. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member I was hoping for more from this film. I imagine watching this film is much like the lives of these female soldiers....boring with a few very intense moments tossed in. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Close to Home

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Cast & Crew

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Vardit Bilu

Director

Dalia Hager

Director

Smadar Sayar

Smadar

Naama Schendar

Mirit

Irit Suki

Dubek

Katia Zimbris

Actor

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Close to Home

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Movie Info

Synopsis Smadar (Smadar Sayar) and Mirit (Naama Schendar) are teenage girls serving in the Israeli military. Though the girls are uncomfortable with or indifferent to their duty, they treat one another with distrust. However, when an explosion in their neighborhood leads to tragedy, Smadar and Mirit begin to form a true friendship.
Director
Vardit Bilu, Dalia Hager
Producer
Marek Rozenbaum, Itai Tamir
Screenwriter
Vardit Bilu, Dalia Hager
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Transfax Film Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Hebrew
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 16, 2007, Limited
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 19, 2007
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR