Some Escargot with your Wall?

The French are in love with Israeli Filmmakers according to this article. That doesn't surprise me given the fact that most Israeli films these days grapple with tough issues are not dogmatically pro or anti Israeli policies or they ignore the political situation altogether focusing on intimate character studies. A lot of the critically acclaimed films that came out during the initifada (films like "Broken Wings" or "Late Marriage") were characterized by the absence of any sign of politics in the film - no radio in the background, no newspaper props, no dialogue acknowledging "the situation." So it was easy for the French to embrace these heartwrenching narratives, because they blended so seamlessly into the European movie melting pot. Cannes-festival darling Amos Gitai does approach politics but usually with a predictably left-leaning uber-critical stance. And his films are so self-consciously artsy that the French have no choice but to love him. Anyone who makes me sit through 15 minutes of Natalie Portman crying deserves the adoration of a country that still lists "philosopher" as an employment designation.