Time of Favor

This is the first Israeli movie that I saw and I wish that more would be released on a wide scale in the US. I am not even sure that this was available to audiences in the US, as I saw it in London, and when it returned to the US, many had not heard of it. The cast comprised superb actors, the script was phenomenal, and the cinematography was brilliant (an extra character of its own)."Time of Favor" explores the issue of moral responsibility. In this movie, it is depicted as a topic vital to natioanl security interests, as interred by the members of the military, but the issue is relevant to all who interact with society. An Israeli friend of mine once said that Isareal is a sate of many different nations and the people all are forced to become one state while serving in the army. This happens to a similar (but less dramatic degree when conscription is not required) extent in all armies.The movie follows the creation of a regiment comprised soley of people from similar religious interpretations, which would theorectically mean that this regiment is representative of only one nation in Israel; those that join that particular regiment are those who attend services at a Rabbi's synagoue who often stresses the importance of pursuing manifest destiny as religious obligation. Matters take a tragic turn when a member of the regiment conceives of a plan to actively pursue the policy.Too often Israel is perceived as a monolithic society. Cedar's film reveals the complexity that constitutes the country. There are deep divisions and suspicions between those who consider themselves devoutly religious and those who consider themselves secular. The two sides often look down at one another and there are difficutlties in them hearing each other in the formation if Israeli policy that is suppsoe to protect the state as a whole. Even within the seemingly coherent religious communities, there are different interpretations of which way to proceed, which is not always realized unless memebrs take matters into their own hand.When the authorities question the people they believe responsible, the Rabbi is investigated. He believes he is innocent, arguing that he never should have been taken literally. Which raises the important question of who is morally responsibile when causualites are inflicted in the name of relgiion or politics? How much credit is to be assumed by the individual who pursues these beliefs with little or no explicit guidance? How much blame should be ascribed to societal institutions which teach rhetoric about the importance of empire and obligations people should assume for insuring security of a way of life?This film provides fodder for a timely discussion considering the current trials of Americans who are being investigated for torturing Iraqi. The accused claim that they were following orders; the higher ups say no such specific orders were given. So many Americans endorse policies in Israel which they believe will hasten the second coming, according to their religous leaders and with little regard for the impact that the policies will have on the welfare of Israeli citizens; preaching about the need to rebuild the Temple - even though doing so would entail destroying a relgious landmark for Muslims and exacerbating conflict in the region.On a less original level, the film also examines the coneseqences on friendship that a love triangle imposes, when two best firends fall in love with the same woman, one of whom her traditional father (the Rabbi) wants her to marry, but unfortunately for her, the Rabbi's favorite is not the one that she loves. It is questionable as to how much of the plan was constructed purely to pursue a perceived religious obligation, as opposed to contributing to the down fall of man who became the object of affection of a woman that the plan's architect wanted to marry. The motivation of what contributes people to commit desperate acts that can be defniend as "terrorist plots," is another revelvant theme in modern times. How much are actions motivated by belief in relgion? How much is the pursuit of such actions motivated by a sense of hopelessness in the future or revenge?This is a movie that should be bought because it is the type that can be watched again and again, and each viewing brings greater depth and raises new questions - the hallmark of a truly great film

Very interesting, contentiously political & brilliant Israeli thriller. It depicting the mistrust/prejudice by many Liberal, secular Israeli's, regarding the integration of religious Israeli Jews(representing a biblical Jewish viewpoint) into the Israel's army(I.D.F.) which has traditionally been a liberal, leftwing bastion loyal to the secular leftwing socialist philosophy of Israel's modern founding fathers. A "new religious Jewish company" is formed for modern-Orthodox Jewish Seminary(Yeshivah) students with Menachim as its commander(captain).He is a follower of a Rabbi (with a Biblical Israeli(Torah) views) and goals of integrating his students into the IDF , its elite officers & the leadership of Israel's society , while maintaining their religious and biblical viewpoint". A senior Mossad officer labels him "brilliant","crazy" and "dangerous".Menachim has to successfully straddle his loyalty to both his Rabbi and secular IDF commander and prove his loyalty to both,which proves to be a very difficult journey throughout the movie. Seen as outsiders within the IDF who are "revolutionary", "too motivated" etc are soonSuspected of wanting to blow up a Mosque on the Temple Mount. Menachim is jailed, interrogated and beaten up and ridiculed while chained to a ceiling by his antagonist the leftwing secular Mossad senior officer. The movie has an exciting and unexpected ending.Several exciting plots and excellent cinematography make this movie a contender for best Israeli movie of the decade.Prophetic Relevancy: Today 25% of IDF officers are religious modern Orthodox Jews(up ten-fold since 1992).Can the same revolution be repeated for Ultra Orthodox Jews whom require even greater separate accommodations to serve in the IDF .

Excellent movie. Very realistic depiction of a group of orthodox Israelis serving in the army as a separate unit (a lot of the fervently religious Israelis refuse to serve in the army, because they feel their mission on earth is to study Torah and perform all of its commandments-over 600 of them-daily, and therefore they would not be able to do so in the army). The movie shows all the tensions among the members of the unit regarding their attitude towards the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, with a love story in the background. It is not perfect, but it is very realistic, and it is very informative, too.

The eternal triangle of the two men, the girl, and her rabbi father combines good acting with sensitive plot. But then the romantic drama turns into, or attempts to turn into, a political thriller. The movie become then a bit cliché-ish with stock phrases like "you have to trust me" a shabac officer with an eternal cigarette in his mouth, and lame attempt to create suspense. Still, the social milieu of the settlers and the knitted caps society is portrayed competently, sensitively, and carefully.

I did not give it a five star rating only because it is of the essence to know the current Israeli reality in depth - in order to fully appreciate the import of this, otherwise great film ! Even the title in Hebrew "Ha Hesder" is far from the English "Time of favor" and, as such is non translatable - but idiomatic .

I do not get what Menachem saw in Michal... she was not personable... not friendly... not especially pretty... like an Israeli Kristen Stewart. Kind of took away from the story, which is a shame because it was a very good one. Definitely something you can discuss after seeing it... why certain characters did what they did.

Good movie

this movie is one of my favourite Israeli movie, ,it is touching in the love story, the fanatism is not caricatural and the politics of the mossad is very well demonstrated. Dayan is like always a very powerful actor , bigger than life . a superb viewing a total pleasure

... unlike Amos Gitai films, the characters are not mere caricatures, or exceptionnaly (the bad one); others have their doubts, they act wrongly, do not understand exactly the difficult, dramatic, situation of their country (Israel). Good acting and superior timing in presenting the story

Excellent actors and actresses. Sound recording makes voice/ Hebrew language clear enough. What is at stake remains to be sorted

thank you