The Band's Visit (12A)

(Subtitled)

This returns as one those of those, everyone ‘must’ see, treasures we find from time to time. So come and see why.

A truly lovely film which offers a Middle Eastern take on Jarmusch-ion manners. It was considered the most charming film at Cannes (2007)

We join the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Band arriving at Tel Aviv airport to play at the opening of an Arab cultural centre somewhere nearby. Their hosts fail to turn up so they start walking. After catching a bus to the wrong town, it is too late and they are stranded. Hesitantly, they accept the sanctuary of a bar owner Dina (Elkabetz) and resolve to spend a single strange and wonderful night in this desolate place far from home. From then on, the gentle, slightly scared Egyptians gingerly mingle with their more forthright Israeli hosts

“A sweet-natured examination of strangers in a strange land until its moving final scenes…Above all, it is almost perfectly formed and by no means just a pleasant work in a minor key. The more you think about it, the more truthful, thus important, it seems. I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying it…” (Standard) And like any well-observed slice of humanity, it is very funny. Cancel band practice.