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Checkpoint

2003 1h 20m Documentary List
71% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Documentarian Yoav Shamir captures the frustration and humiliation that Palestinian travelers face on a routine basis as they encounter the imposing checkpoints manned by Israeli soldiers. Without narration or explanations, Shamir simply turns on his camera to record the different scenes as they unfold. For the Palestinian travelers, they never know when they will be allowed to make the journey to visit friends and family, or even make it to a hospital, while the soldiers follow their orders.

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Richard Porton Chicago Reader Remarkably, the depiction of the indignities suffered by the Palestinians is untainted by rhetorical excess or heavy-handed editorializing. Sep 29, 2017 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Of all Israeli films on this subject, this is the most unbiased and honest and also one of the most valuable. Rated: 3/4 Jan 6, 2005 Full Review Stephen Holden New York Times This grueling Israeli documentary filmed in the occupied territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip leaves you infuriated and mystified. Rated: 2/5 Apr 7, 2004 Full Review Marty Mapes Movie Habit Tells an interesting story without imposing an authoritative voice on the film Rated: 3/4 Apr 14, 2006 Full Review Collin Souter eFilmCritic.com Checkpoint adds a a whole other dimension to the debate over civil liberties by letting its unflinching footage speak for itself. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 9, 2004 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Checkpoint is an unflinchingly honest Israeli documentary about the humiliations of the Palestinians every day and the pressures on the occupying soldiers. Rated: 4/5 Mar 31, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (3) audience reviews
frederick m A short documentary film which shows the repression the Israeli government uses against the Palestinians. I think the Israelis know they're doing something quite wrong here. "Please don't show me as a bad guy" one soldier says. The soldiers routinely turn people down for no reason other than they get off on it, they also separate families and lie about active curfews. I think comparing South Africa under apartheid to Israel is a very fair comparison for the reasons shown in this movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Jews said that others were like animals.. and it is irony when you see that christians support them. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Documentary filmmaker Yoav Shamir's depiction of the checkpoints that the Israel Defense Forces man in the Palestinian Authority. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Checkpoint

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Movie Info

Synopsis Documentarian Yoav Shamir captures the frustration and humiliation that Palestinian travelers face on a routine basis as they encounter the imposing checkpoints manned by Israeli soldiers. Without narration or explanations, Shamir simply turns on his camera to record the different scenes as they unfold. For the Palestinian travelers, they never know when they will be allowed to make the journey to visit friends and family, or even make it to a hospital, while the soldiers follow their orders.
Director
Yoav Shamir
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Hebrew
Release Date (DVD)
Feb 22, 2005
Runtime
1h 20m