In 1980 the black Falashas in Ethiopia are recognised as genuine Jews and are secretly carried to Israel. The day before the transport the son of a Jewish mother dies. In his place and with his name (Schlomo) she takes a Christian 9-year-old boy.
Fundamental issues of ethnic and religious identity and the agony of exile are at the heart of Live and Become.
– Stephen Holden,
New York Times,
4 Feb 2008
fresh:
A stirring and uplifting tale of racial and religious assimilation.
– Andrew Sarris,
New York Observer,
13 Feb 2008
fresh:
With the secret 1985 airlift of thousands of Ethiopian Jewish refugees into Israel as a historical starting point, writer-director Radu Mihaileanu turns one fictional boy's story into a loaded, didactic drama about survival, adaptation, and identity.
– Lisa Schwarzbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar 2008
fresh:
Don't be put off by the film's length. It's fascinating to see familiar history flash by as a backdrop to the equally compelling account of a life spent in pursuit of totality.
– Tom Keogh,
Seattle Times,
28 Mar 2008
fresh:
The bounty of incident is balanced by knowing humor, compelling characters and a dedicated compassion toward those for whom the search for home sends their head, heart and feet flying in all directions.