The Gatekeepers
Documentary, History, War
-
2012
Available on
Country
In an unprecedented and candid series of interviews, six former heads of the Shin Bet — Israel's intelligence and security agency — speak about their role in Israel's decades-long counterterrorism campaign, discussing their controversial methods and whether the ends ultimately justify the means.
Director:
Cast:
Similar
Details
Runtime:
101 min
Release date:
9 Jul 2012
Country:
BE, CA, FR, DE, IL
Languages:
Hebrew (modern), English
Budget:
$0
Revenue:
$2,573,616
Awards:
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 7 wins & 12 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
There is a powerful moment in [the film] when Diskin, head of the Shin Bet from 2005 to 2011, candidly remarks that for the Palestinians he is himself a terrorist. That is not relativism but realism, and the welcome sign of an empathetic imagination.
– David Thomson,
The New Republic,
13 Jun 2013
fresh:
The film and its talking head participants paint the picture in both broad strokes and fine detail.
– Tom Long,
Detroit News,
22 Mar 2013
fresh:
Whatever one's political stripe regarding Israel, it's hard to dispute the impressions and perspective of the film's six eyewitnesses.
– Tom Keogh,
Seattle Times,
14 Mar 2013
fresh:
The level of candor here may not satisfy hard-liners of either stripe, but it can help viewers begin to formulate new questions about the philosophical, strategic and moral challenges of conflict, in particular "wars on terror."
– Lisa Kennedy,
Denver Post,
8 Mar 2013
rotten:
Ultimately the movie feels evasive, and its flashy, digitally animated re-creations of military surveillance footage unpleasantly evoke the Call of Duty video games.
– Ben Sachs,
Chicago Reader,
8 Mar 2013