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The Holy Land

Play trailer Poster for The Holy Land R,  2003,  1h 32m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 52% 56 Reviews Tomatometer 78% 250+ Ratings Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Rabbinical student Mendy (Oren Rehany) is more or less commanded to visit a brothel after one of his teachers notices him struggling with his sexuality. Instantly smitten with Russian immigrant Sasha (Tchelet Semel), Mendy decides to set off and explore the wider world. Ending up at a Jerusalem bar run by American expatriate Mike (Saul Stein), he learns about secular life from the bar's patrons, who represent a wide variety of ethnicities and beliefs.
The Holy Land

What to Know

Critics Consensus

This messy coming-of-age tale is of interest only because of where the story takes place.

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Critics Reviews

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Brandon Judell IndieWire Feb 28, 2022
Eitan Gorlins narrative film is already splitting moviegoers. Its been rejected by the Jerusalem Film Festival and one American Jewish woman after a screening cursed out the writer/director, calling him a plague worse than Arafat for the Jews. Go to Full Review
Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Nov 28, 2003
Casts intriguing characters in interesting situations but leaves them adrift in a disjointed narrative that gives away its conclusion too early. Go to Full Review
Ty Burr Boston Globe Nov 21, 2003
2.5/4
Too many characters, each too quickly drawn, hobble the film's momentum. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Sep 13, 2004
B-
Gave me a better understanding of what it's like to live in modern Israel. Go to Full Review
Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star Aug 13, 2004
2/4
A mixed bag. Go to Full Review
Phil Villarreal Arizona Daily Star Jan 23, 2004
3/4
A stimulating cinematic experience in every sense. Go to Full Review
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The Holy Land

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Eitan Gorlin

Director

Oren Rehany

Mendy

Tchelet Semel

Natasha "Sasha" Sonsova

Saul Stein

Mike

Albert Iluz

Razi

Robert Warmflash

Post-Production Supervisor

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The Holy Land

The Holy Land (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Rabbinical student Mendy (Oren Rehany) is more or less commanded to visit a brothel after one of his teachers notices him struggling with his sexuality. Instantly smitten with Russian immigrant Sasha (Tchelet Semel), Mendy decides to set off and explore the wider world. Ending up at a Jerusalem bar run by American expatriate Mike (Saul Stein), he learns about secular life from the bar's patrons, who represent a wide variety of ethnicities and beliefs.
Director
Eitan Gorlin
Screenwriter
Eitan Gorlin
Distributor
Cavu Releasing
Production Co
United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 11, 2003, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 7, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA)
$586.4K
Runtime
1h 32m
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