A Bottle in the Gaza Sea

2011

1h 39m

Drama

List

69%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

A Jerusalem teenager (Agathe Bonitzer) and a Palestinian (Mahmoud Shalabi) from Gaza correspond via bottled notes thrown into the sea.

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dan m

To me this felt like a more serious version of the movie You've Got Mail, but between a French-Israeli girl and a Palestinian boy. They trade somewhat harsh messages at first due to the ongoing conflict, but eventually they befriend each other and fall in love. Usually I don't go for these kinds of stories, especially if it's a romantic comedy, but it's done very well here and you hope for a happy ending for these two. Bravo!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This joint French-Canadian-Israeli film describes an unlikely e-mail relationship struck up between a young Jerusalem woman and a young Gazan man who find a message she left in a bottle in the Mediterranean. Simply and lovingly photographed, this film has tremendous heart. Agathe Bonitzer as the Israeli and Mahmoud Shalaby as the Palestinian play their parts splendidly. A great film for those who still wish to dream.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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bill k

Touching, beautiful and insightful.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/06/18

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Audience Member

This was a very thoughtful movie, it showed two different view points in a realistic way, it brought out many emotions, and made me wish I could keep watching their lives until they meet again. Its a well done movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Some people downplay the movie as a platitude amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Well, reality is reality, and a movie---though sometimes fantasy---portrays the virtue of peaceful possibilities. This movie achieves that end in a fairly simple, but powerful manner.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What a wonderful portrait of life on both sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. As in all conflicts, may we stop so much defending our position and learn about the positions of those who we see as our enemies. Curiosity caused Tal and Nam to learn about each other and it changed both of their lives. May we please do as much as we can to learn about this particular conflict so we can help bring it to a close.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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Thierry Binisti

Director

Hiam Abbass

Intessar

Agathe Bonitzer

Tal

Mahmud Shalaby

Naim

Abraham Belaga

Eytan

Reef Cohen

Efrat

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Critics Consensus: The Impossible is Certified Fresh

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V.A. Musetto

New York Post

It raises the hope that someday, perhaps, there can be a meeting of Israeli and Palestinian minds.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 4, 2013

Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

A gentle pairing of youthful idealism and tenacious hope.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 3, 2013

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Elizabeth Weitzman

New York Daily News

What elevates [it] ... is the gentleness with which Binisti approaches his difficult subject.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 3, 2013

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Sure, it has something to say, but it hardly feels like its out to change the world -- only a very small part of it. And it succeeds with sincere feelings and a beguiling charm

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 16, 2014

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Robert Levin

amNewYork

This is the story of people who dream big dreams and find a common understanding in the face of impossible difficulties. It's hard not to get behind that.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 11, 2013

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Doris Toumarkine

Film Journal International

Yet another impressive dramatic take on the endless Middle East impasse and attendant violence.

Jan 4, 2013

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Synopsis

A Jerusalem teenager (Agathe Bonitzer) and a Palestinian (Mahmoud Shalabi) from Gaza correspond via bottled notes thrown into the sea.

Director: Thierry Binisti
Screenwriter: Thierry Binisti, Valérie Zenatti
Production Co: TS Productions, Lama Films, EMA Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Hebrew
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2017
Runtime: 1h 39m

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