Free Zone
New Yorker Films
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Synopsis:
Sitting in a chauffeured car parked just outside of Jerusalem's Wailing Wall, Rebecca struggles to compose herself. It isn't clear who or what has just upset her, but the driver of the car she's sitting in is losing patience. Hanna's running late for an appointment that she absolutely must keep and Rebecca is holding her up. A strong-willed, charismatic Israeli woman, Hanna is on her way to Jordan, to an ungoverned economic free zone of shady business transactions that is bordered by Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Looking for a quick "escape," Rebecca heedlessly convinces a reluctant Hanna to take her along for the ride. Their trip to Free Zone allows Rebecca a moment to reflect on what led her--some months ago--to leave the United States or Israel, and on her breakdown in Hanna's cab earlier in the day. The road-trip also reveals the urgency behind Hanna's quest, which is being made on behalf of her husband, Moshe. Recently wounded in a terrorist attack, Moshe needs Hanna to collect a debt owed to him by a business partner of his that operates an armored car dealership within the Free Zone. But when Hanna and Rebecca and reach "the American's" office, they are confronted by Leila, a Palestinian that works for "the American" and who tells Hanna that "the American" and Hanna's money are missing. Determined not to leave the Free Zone without her husband's debt paid, Hanna forces Lelia to join her, and with Rebecca tagging along, the three women begin a search of the Free Zone for "the American" and Moshe's money. Soon the relationship between the three women changes and what began as a kind of pragmatic mutual need between them, quickly turns into an emotional solidarity that will affect each of their lives forever.
There's not a lot of action in Amos Gitai's Free Zone. Much of the film involves two women sitting in a vehicle driving. While it might seem a little claustrophobic, the windows outside provide a telling story. Free Zone might not be exciting in an action sense, but it is a fascinating and thought-provoking film featuring Natalie Protman in a very different sort of role. Tackling complex themes, such as the root of the conflict in the Middle East, Gitai explores them through deep and honest conversations and an intriguing set of editing techniques. We rarely leave the road trip visually, but there are several examples of ghostly flashbacks that fade in and out to provide the deep back stories of the film's main characters. It's hard pulling off a visually pleasing "talkie" that's loaded with politics, but Gitai pulls it off in spades with Free Zone.
Video: How's it look?
The movie is present in a 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio. I found the picture of Free Zone to be rather soft. It's never super sharp, perhaps it's a matter of the quality of the original production, but I was nonetheless somewhat underwhelmed.
Audio: How's it sound?
The film is presented in Dolby 5.1 Surround in both English and French. The sound certainly pops in the best possible way.
Extras: What additional goodies are included?
- The film's three stars participate in sit-down interviews that speak a lot to the film's production
- There's a behind-the-scenes look at the powerful opening scene
- Finally there's footage of Amos Gitai getting something ready, but this feature was presented entirely in French without subtitles, so I was more than a little lost
- Optional French subtitles for the film
Closing Thoughts
Free Zone is a powerful film -- definitely not what you'd expect from Natalie Portman. Thought provoking and visually pleasing, this is one you will want to track down.
Review brought to you by our friend Ryan @ Movie-Views.com
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