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The Holy Land

Play trailer Poster for The Holy Land R Released Jul 11, 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

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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

View All (56) Critics Reviews
Brandon Judell indieWire 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. Feb 28, 2022 Full Review Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Casts intriguing characters in interesting situations but leaves them adrift in a disjointed narrative that gives away its conclusion too early. Nov 28, 2003 Full Review Ty Burr Boston Globe Too many characters, each too quickly drawn, hobble the film's momentum. Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 21, 2003 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Gave me a better understanding of what it's like to live in modern Israel. Rated: B- Sep 13, 2004 Full Review Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star A mixed bag. Rated: 2/4 Aug 13, 2004 Full Review Phil Villarreal Arizona Daily Star A stimulating cinematic experience in every sense. Rated: 3/4 Jan 23, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (6) audience reviews
Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Aside from the cute Russian hooker, not much to see here. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Yeah, this was good. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member a little seen classic film about religious conflict and sex! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Holy Land

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The Holy Land

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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
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists
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