Product Description The magnificent, epic story of an Ethiopian boy who is airlifted from a Sudanese refugee camp to Israel in 1984 during Operation Moses. Shlomo is plagued by two big secrets: He is neither a Jew nor an orphan, just an African boy who survived and wants, somehow, to fulfill his Ethiopian mother's parting request that he "go, live, and become." Buoyed by a profound and unfaltering motherly love - both in his memory and in the arms of his adoptive mother - he ultimately finds an identity and a happiness all his own. Review LIVE AND BECOME **** Starring Yael Abecassis, Roschdy Zem, Moshe Agazai, Mosche Abebe and Sirak M. Sabahat. Directed and written by Ra-du Mihaileanu. Produced by Denis Carol, Marie Masmonteil and Radii Mihaileanu. A Menemsha release. Drama. Aramaic-, Hebrew- and French-language; subtitled. Not yet rated. Running time: 144 min. "Live and Become" received a rare standing ovation at the Telluride Film Festival, evidence of the emotional power of a remarkable journey of discovery. The film centers on the plight of Ethiopian Jews, called Falashas, forced to flee to Sudanese refugee camps for relief from persecution and famine. In 1984, "Operation Moses" begins the airlift of Falashas to Israel. A Christian woman in a refugee camp wants a better life for her nine-year-old son (Moshe Agazai). She orders him to pretend to be Jewish so he can be airlifted out. After a poignant silent glance with the boy's mother, a Falasha woman whose son has recently died takes the boy's hand as she boards the plane to Israel. She names him Schlomo and passes him off as her own son. But in Israel, the adopted mother dies. Agazai gives Schlomo a face full of sadness as he yearns for his mother back in Africa. Schlomo is mystified by life in Israel, which is radically different from anything he had ever known. He is adopted by a liberal Israeli couple, Yael (Yael Abecassis) and Yoram (Roschdy Zem), with two children. Yael becomes a fiery defender of Schlomo against the prejudices he faces as he begins a new life. Schlomo must create a new identity while facing hostility as a black immigrant and always fearing discovery as a non-Jew. His struggles are extremely affecting. In the distinctive cast, non-professionals seamlessly mix with accomplished actors while "Live and Become" builds to an unforgettable final image. --Ed Scheid, Box Office Magazine
F**E
Brilliant, expanding foreign film experience
Right off, there is a would-be sex scene with a prostitute that I would definitely advise not showing - actually not of benefit to any age, but I think it's worth viewing on a number of levels if you like to "travel" and learn for movie nights. Watch first and skip over that scene (part of Schlomo's young adult/Israeli soldier year) for family viewing. This is a very warm and human story, one of the best ever.I've been waiting patiently for it's release - was told it would be winter 2007, but it's popularity had it making the rounds in theatres catering to foreign films I guess.
E**R
Both deeply political and deeply personal, with no easy resolutions
Live and Become is an epic story that rewards viewers' patience. The plot includes a few coincidences that may seem implausible at first, but the main characters and their relationships are believably nuanced. Who is Schlomo? What does integrity look like when you are thrown into an impossible situation? How much is identity shaped by features that others can see and judge (skin color, cultural fluency), and how much by facts and stories that may remain hidden? Like nearly all movies that portray circumstances of injustice and suffering, this film lets you off easy by following the exception who survives and succeeds against the odds. But the overall arc of the film returns to remind us of just how many cannot escape.
P**B
Four Stars
Good, but my copy had glitches and it was returned and refunded.
M**W
Excellent epic film
This DVD was stunning in scope and delightful to watch. I loved this film! It shows how the gift of life traveled with a dearly beloved young boy, and how this adopted child became the recipient of enormous love and good fortune in his new homeland. I did not know adoptive parents could summon up such wisdom and passion for a chosen child.The acting is splendid, the photography is lush and you will fall in love with this saga about a remarkable young man.
F**R
Live and Become
Live and Become is a coming-of-age story in an exotic setting. It concerns a little Ethiopian Christian boy who is sent by his mother on an Operation Moses plane to Israel with the Ethiopian Jews who are being rescued. It takes him a long time to untangle his identity as he faces both acceptance and rejection by various Israelis. Things all get settled by the end. Languages spoken in the film are Hebrew, French, English and Amharic with English sub-titles. It is both charming and interesting.
G**D
Live and become......
...more bored by the dragging moment. A turgid and self hating, self described socialistic piece of crap in the most flagrantshow of anti-Israel manner. Taking the transportation of Ethiopians at great peril and trying to integrate into modern society. The film stoty teller finds only the crass and occasional discrimination to fling excrement on the deed rather than find the successes of the entire effort.This is not the feel good ffilm "Noodle".This is a bit of vomitus inducing trash. Save your money. Or if you need to get some hate off your chest this will be the cinematic yellow hotliner.This tragic left wing political statement of a time waster gets ONE STAR and only because the ratiing system demands it for this butt wipe of a film.
H**R
Live and Become
I have seen this move a number of time and have enjoyed viewing this every time - After purchasing the DVD from Amazon I gathered some friends from our book group and we viewed this together and everyone enjoyed seeing it- and thought it was beautiful and moving and loved the ending - there were tears too. - I'm so thankful I have been able to purchase this beautiful movie through Amazon so I can watch it whenever I want to. H.Gardner
H**B
Warm and Compassionate
Even for those who might have issues with the State of Israel, this is a very fine and compassionate movie that illuminates the strengths and difficulties of Israel. The story is realistic and heart warming. I believe it was the "Audience Favorite" at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival several years ago.
A**N
Live & Become
I saw this film years ago & loved it so much that I wanted to buy it & share it with family & friends.It is a beautiful movie that leaves you thinking about it; discussing it & remembering it for a long time.Truly an outstanding film!
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