Israeli Film 'Makolet' Showcases Outstanding Young Actor Amidst Uneven Storytelling
The Israeli debut film "Makolet," directed and written by Yuval Shani, premiered recently at a student film festival, featuring a powerful performance by Ido Tako, considered one of the best Israeli actors of his generation. The film is set in Jerusalem on the eve of Passover and centers on Amir (Tako), who lives with his uncle Maurice Cohen, a grocery store owner who also sells medicines under unclear circumstances. Amir’s mother is absent, likely institutionalized, and his emotional connection to her is symbolized by a box he hides under his bed.
Amir’s life intersects with Eliyahu (Amitai Shulman), a classmate with a mysterious, androgynous presence, who lives nearby with his drug-addicted mother and wheelchair-bound grandfather. The emotional dynamic between Amir and Eliyahu forms the core of the film, delivering some of its most touching and authentic scenes. Shulman, a newcomer, is praised as a promising talent in Israeli cinema.
Despite these strong performances and atmospheric moments, the film struggles with its narrative cohesion. Several characters, including Amir’s dysfunctional mother, the disabled grandfather, and a seductive girl, feel underdeveloped and serve more as symbolic elements than fully realized roles. The significance of the medicine sales and the grocery store itself remains unclear and underexplored, leaving the film feeling fragmented.
The soundtrack features a moving rendition of "Song for the Holiday Evening" by Miri Aloni, originally by Tirtza Atar, which complements the film’s mood. The film’s title, "Makolet" (grocery store), evokes a nostalgic neighborhood intimacy that the movie does not fully capture. Nonetheless, the film’s emotional core and the performances of Tako and Shulman make it a compelling watch, with anticipation for Shani’s future projects.
In summary, "Makolet" is a film rich in atmosphere and strong acting but falls short of delivering a fully cohesive story, focusing on themes of loneliness, identity, and the search for belonging.
