Bethlehem

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Bethlehem

Released Mar 7, 2014

1h 39m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

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47 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A complex relationship develops between an Israeli secret service officer (Tsahi Halevi) and his teenage Palestinian informant (Shadi Mar'i).

Critics Consensus

Balancing complex Middle Eastern politics against a universal human drama, director Yuval Adler fashions Bethlehem into a thought-provoking, well-acted character study.

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David Stratton

The Australian

In the light of what has been happening in nearby Gaza, this small but memorable film assumes an even greater impact.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 11, 2014

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Philippa Hawker

The Age (Australia)

Its most compelling element, however, is the relationship between informer and informant.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 7, 2014

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Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

Bethlehem's plot is nothing new; it's the oft-told Cain and Abel story updated for the age of suicide bombers and tactical strikes, as a tautly structured mix of melodrama and ticking-clock thriller.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 4, 2014

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Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

Every character in Bethlehem has their reasons, and that is what makes the Israel-Palestine conflict so tragic and confounding

Jun 30, 2019

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Jay Kuehner

Cinema Scope

Bethlehem is compelling for its regional exposure, but a tendency for narrative velocity and plot machinations gives away the film's ultimate agenda as genre-dependent. Credit to Adler though for the necessarily unhappy ending.

Oct 10, 2017

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Tom Clift

Concrete Playground

The moral murkiness of the Israel-Palestine conflict sets the scene for a blistering espionage thriller.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2014

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Social W

After watching this movie, I'll stay far away from the Middle East. What a sad, violent place.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/23

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Audience Member

Very well performed by the actors and nicely directed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

no opening credits or nothin this 1 just grabs ya an goes shows the complex relationships between the jews and the arabs & doesn't pull any punches or take sides

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

A rather depressing movie of how impossible it is for anyone in Israel/Palestine to escape the violence -- even if you want to work with the other side.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

in the perverse world of violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians, people are forced to take sides, even if its the one against their conscience and will. As one reviewer puts it nicely, it is the story of Cain & Abel in the age of suicide bombers.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

A terrific movie that succeeds in showing all the sides and nuances of the war between the Israelis and Palestinians. Nothing is really black and white in this world. And the complexity of feelings, emotions and loyalties are all melded together to create a truly memorable movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

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Yuval Adler

Director

Shadi Mar'i

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Tsahi Halevi

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Synopsis

A complex relationship develops between an Israeli secret service officer (Tsahi Halevi) and his teenage Palestinian informant (Shadi Mar'i).

Director: Yuval Adler
Producer: Sébastien Delloye, Diana Elbaum, Sonja Ewers, Osnat Handelsman-Keren
Screenwriter: Yuval Adler, Ali Wakad
Distributor: Adopt Films
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Hebrew
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 7, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 6, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $201.7K
Runtime: 1h 39m

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