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The Holy Land

Play trailer Poster for The Holy Land R 2003 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Rabbinical student Mendy (Oren Rehany) is more or less commanded to visit a brothel after one of his teachers notices him struggling with his sexuality. Instantly smitten with Russian immigrant Sasha (Tchelet Semel), Mendy decides to set off and explore the wider world. Ending up at a Jerusalem bar run by American expatriate Mike (Saul Stein), he learns about secular life from the bar's patrons, who represent a wide variety of ethnicities and beliefs.
The Holy Land

What to Know

Critics Consensus

This messy coming-of-age tale is of interest only because of where the story takes place.

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Critics Reviews

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Brandon Judell IndieWire 02/28/2022
Eitan Gorlins narrative film is already splitting moviegoers. Its been rejected by the Jerusalem Film Festival and one American Jewish woman after a screening cursed out the writer/director, calling him a plague worse than Arafat for the Jews. Go to Full Review Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune 11/28/2003
Casts intriguing characters in interesting situations but leaves them adrift in a disjointed narrative that gives away its conclusion too early. Go to Full Review Ty Burr Boston Globe 11/21/2003
2.5/4
Too many characters, each too quickly drawn, hobble the film's momentum. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/13/2004
B-
Gave me a better understanding of what it's like to live in modern Israel. Go to Full Review Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star 08/13/2004
2/4
A mixed bag. Go to Full Review Phil Villarreal Arizona Daily Star 01/23/2004
3/4
A stimulating cinematic experience in every sense. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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01/31/2008 5 languages, the seedy side of Israel, some cliche plot twists that drop it's rating from a four to a three, but then bizarro eschatology regarding the return of temple rites gave it that conspiratorial edge of tension to round it out with a 3 and a half. While a bit of a trashy B-movie and a bit of a lag at times - there's still no other movie out there to my knowledge that's like it. See more 10/25/2007 Aside from the cute Russian hooker, not much to see here. See more 10/07/2007 Yeah, this was good. See more 08/01/2007 a little seen classic film about religious conflict and sex! See more 06/07/2007 i loved this movie. if you like foreign films this is a must see. the cinematography is amazing and there are 5 languages. looks and sounds beautiful, plus the story is great. See more 03/22/2007 The peyes being cut as a symbol of disillusionment is pretty poignant and sad. Rather depressing movie but pure talent from the mostly unknown actors. See more Read all reviews
The Holy Land

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Cast & Crew

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Eitan Gorlin

Director

Oren Rehany

Mendy

Tchelet Semel

Natasha "Sasha" Sonsova

Saul Stein

Mike

Albert Iluz

Razi

Robert Warmflash

Post-Production Supervisor

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The Holy Land

The Holy Land (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Rabbinical student Mendy (Oren Rehany) is more or less commanded to visit a brothel after one of his teachers notices him struggling with his sexuality. Instantly smitten with Russian immigrant Sasha (Tchelet Semel), Mendy decides to set off and explore the wider world. Ending up at a Jerusalem bar run by American expatriate Mike (Saul Stein), he learns about secular life from the bar's patrons, who represent a wide variety of ethnicities and beliefs.
Director
Eitan Gorlin
Screenwriter
Eitan Gorlin
Distributor
Cavu Releasing
Production Co
United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 11, 2003, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 7, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA)
$586.4K
Runtime
1h 32m