Acclaimed Israeli director Amos Gitai blends family and Israeli history in his unconventional film Carmel, which is now available on DVD from Kino Lorber. With narration by renowned French actress Jeanne Moreau, Carmel begins with Gitai walking along a beach, then shifts to scenes from the Jewish-Roman wars in the first century C.E. The ancient fighting is updated in scenes from Israel’s recent wars, with the director searching for his soldier son who has been mobilized for combat in Lebanon. The film also serves as Gitai’s memorial for his mother, Efratia, who died six years ago; the director’s wife, Rivka, reads from her mother-in-law’s letters. — M.S.
