Fresh
This is vividly challenging, utterly inclusive and heartfelt cinema. It's not only gripping to watch, but it'll open your eyes to the intractable human conundrums behind the blood-stained headlines.
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Overview
Ajami is an area of Tel Aviv in Israel where Arabs, Palestinians, Jews and Christians live together in a tense atmosphere. Omar, an Israeli Arab, struggles to save his family from a gang of extortionists. He also courts a beautiful Christian girl: Hadir. Malek, an illegal Palestinian worker, tries to collect enough money to pay for his mother's operation. Dando, an Israeli cop, does his utmost to find his missing brother who may have been killed by Palestinians.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
97%
Tomatometer
Fresh
The performances are searingly intense, all delivered by non-professionals cast to type and extemporizing within the parameters of the script. They take the play out of acting, and the effect is unvarnished realism.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Fresh
Any given half-hour of the film has dramatic impact; at two hours, it's a power punch to the gut.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fresh
The fact that these two Israelis from opposite camps worked together to make this movie is as important as the movie itself.
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
Fresh
A compelling drama about prejudice and folly.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
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