Baba Joon

It's been a while since I saw an Israeli film set in the present day. Almost all Israeli films need government financing (since the local market is so small), so fashions are largely determined by the preferences of the government committee. But I think that the many recent Israeli films set a generation or two ago, often with an emphasis on the ethnic traditions of various immigrant communities, may be a reaction to the population's feeling of rushing into a homogenized modernity that threatens people's sense of identity.

Officially voted best Israeli film of 2015, Baba Joon portrays three generations of a Persian-Israeli family. The grandfather established a turkey farm, the grandson has no interest in it, and the father is stuck in the middle, committed to his son but to the farm as well. Much of the movie is taken up with escalating episodes of defiance from the son and pained, angry reactions from the father-- maybe more episodes than necessary. A further plot thread and a few more characters would have been welcome, to open out the film a little and give the family drama some concurrent themes to reflect against. But my wife who grew up on a similar Israeli farm says the authenticity is perfect, and inside that small environment the affection and tension among the family members comes across excellently.

The last Israel film I saw, I did not like much, but this time it is opposite. I liked this theme, about the farmers who are the feeders of the world and they're declining. But this film is not here to discuss about that topic, just a different angle tale like three different generations of the same family and theirs take on the family business, that means farming. It is every parent's duty to support their children, particularly if their kids shows more interest in something, they must not discourage it. This is a lovely film, especially coming from the Israel, because the film might be made in Israel, but its about the different ethnic people and the message was very bold.

This is a story of an Iranian farmer family of a young boy with his two parents and a grandfather living in the rural Israel. The father and boy has lots of differences, like the father is trying to build a future by extending his turkey farm for the boy. But the kid is different, he does not want to take over it, that's the right time his uncle arrives from the United States. Seems he's going to stay for a while, despite he's the one who escaped from this life for a better one. Meanwhile, he spots his nephew's talent and gives a full support, but the father and his father's insistence, the family loses its strength. So the rest of the narration is to focus whether the family patches their differences and fall back to happily ever after or if not, then what's going to happen.

A very inspiring film. The narration was not focused from one character, but kind of neutral. Sometimes, it was from the father's eye like how hard he works for his family. He was into farming because of no choice left after his brother abandoned him years back. Now his son is in the same battle as his brother was. Since he's the only child, he has no other option like his father. The rural kids too can dream big, but what this kid is interested in is merely a hobby in the eyes of his father. That's where the uncle comes in. If you ever had an uncle, probably most of you would know what I meant. Because I too was encouraged by mine. So I do understand what this boy is fighting for.

"If you bend a branch too hard, it breaks."

Since it is a foreign film, I don't know anybody from this. Probably they're new faces, but theirs character executions were phenomenal. Everybody, all the main cast was so impressive. The credit must also go to the director who also wrote the screenplay. It was Israel's official entry for the 88th American Academy Awards in the best foreign film category, but did not make into the final five. Recently I have been watching some good rural based films and this is another great addition to my collection. This is not a masterpiece and we know that, but still there's a lot of reason why one should watch it.

I feel this kind of themes need a serious uplift by the viewers, because what this film revealed was not like any city based film with the plot that revolve around crime, thriller, mystery, but a pure drama. Being a farmer or born in a farmer family, what life they inherit, especially the question of how much they would be happy doing farming for their rest of the life. In urban, people change their professional field often, but that's not an option here for them. You can call this the Israel's 'October Sky', but the story lacked to concentrate more on the kid. Because they wanted a clean balance between all the film characters and also the message to deliver in a striking way. So the filmmakers did their best and also the actors, that's why the film received very well.

Not just for the children, but a good family film. In fact a film for everybody, I definitely suggest it. But there are some flaws like I know these days kids are very curious about learning new things, particularly in a practical way like tools in the hands. Though how this boy developed his skills remains a question. I mean hailing from a rural where he has less resources like you can say the books about his interested field or anyone who are in that field to inspire him or assist him. Initially we know that he's up to something, but then in a few minutes later he already mastered it. This is not a big deal, particularly in the films, so it does not affect to enjoy it or what it tells the society. There are many good reasons to watch this than to neglect it for its minor flaws. So I hope you watch it.

8/10

"Baba Joon" is an excellent film but it's not for everyone. If you are looking for an action-filled film or hate subtitles, then you probably won't enjoy the movie as much as other viewers. This is not a criticism of your tastes or the film...but you need to understand that "Baba Joon", although an excellent film, is also very slow and deliberately paced. The pay off for all this at the end definitely is there...provided you are the type to watch the film in the first place.

The picture is set in Israel but you'd never know it, as almost all you see is dusty farmland. The characters are an unusual group for a film, as they are Israeli Persians...Jews who came there from Iran long ago. The grandfather continued the same business he knew from the old country, raising turkeys, and his son and grandson are expected to carry on the family tradition. As for the father, Yitshak, he's committed to the life. While he doesn't appear to particularly enjoy turkey farming, he's determined to do it...even if it means having almost no free time and no life apart from raising the birds and going to the temple. As for the grandson, Moti, he naturally resents their life. He never gets to play or do anything fun...just take care of those accursed turkeys! When Yitzhak's brother comes from America for a visit, things start to come to a head. The brother refused to stay and have this sort of life and he begins encouraging Moti to do what he loves. As for the mother, she hates what Yitzhak is doing to their boy and is even considering taking the boy and leaving.

There were two things I really loved about this simple film. Although the film is set in Israel and concerns a very specific minority, the story is in many ways universal. The struggle Yitzhak has in being loyal to his father due to their paternalistic culture is one that is true in many countries. And, the boy's resentment is something viewers clearly can understand...and the story really tugs at your heart. Additionally, despite being a small from a small filmmaking nation, the acting was surprisingly good...very realistic and very effective. Overall, for the right person, the film is very good. Just be patient and by the end of the film you will likely find it a very satisfying viewing experience.

Baba Joon (2015) is an Israeli film written and directed by Yuval Delshad. The movie is set in an Iranian-Israeli community on the edge of the Negev Desert. (Sometimes the characters speak Farsi, and sometimes Hebrew.) Although many films from Israel depict conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, this film doesn't. There's no sense of outward conflict. The conflict is between generations.

Navid Negahban plays Itzhak, who has learned how to be a successful turkey farmer from his father. (His father is alive and, although frail, still has the energy to be the "head of the household.") Itzhak is very good at raising turkeys, although he hates the endless work and drudgery.

Despite his own hatred of the work, Itzhak expects his young son, Moti to follow in his footsteps. Moti is played by Asher Avrahami, who had never acted before. He is superb in this role. There's not a single moment when he slips out of character. Moti hates turkey farming, and he dares to do what his father did not. He decides to leave the trade and follow his own interests and talents.

Moti's uncle (his father's brother) has left Israel and made a new life for himself in the U.S. He returns to visit the family, and that visit triggers off resentments that have been simmering for years.

This isn't an action-packed thriller. All of the scenes take place in the small, hot, dusty, farming region. The conflicts we see are family conflicts. In this sense, the story is universal. Should a young man decide on his own career and his own life, or should he follow the wishes of his father and grandfather? The greatness of this film is how the basic conflict plays itself out during the course of the movie.

We saw this film at the Dryden Theatre in the Eastman House Museum in Rochester, NY. It was shown as part of the excellent Rochester Jewish Film Festival. The movie carries an IMDb rating of 7.1, which is lower than it deserves, but not outrageously so. (See my review of "To Life.") It will work very well on the small screen. The DVD can be pre-ordered now (July, 2016). Find it and see the movie. (Just watching Asher Avrahami in the role of Moti will reward your viewing.)