The Holy Land

R

Released Jul 11, 2003

1h 32m

Drama

List

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.

Critics Consensus

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

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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

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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

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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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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