THE OTHER SON

The Other Son is a unique look at the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Joseph (Jules Sitruk) is an 18-year-old Israeli and Yacine (Mehdi Dehdi) is a Palestinian of the same age. When Joseph takes his physical for military service it is discovered that the two were accidentally swapped at birth during the confusion of a SCUD missile attack in the Gulf War.

The result is a confrontation with issues of identity, race and culture. Questions abound, but answers are rare. The acting is understated and realistic and the cinematography is alternatively bleak and bright.

This is subtle human drama told simply and disarmingly. The long hostile structure of the separation wall looms large, but the barren surroundings are sweetened by the suggestion that humanity and goodwill can overcome guns and barbed wire. (LR)

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