DVD Review: Waltz With Bashir

By Cheryl Cheng -- Video Business, 5/11/2009

SONY

Street: June 23
Prebook: May 21
> Visually compelling film about the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, Waltz With Bashir is director Ari Folman’s very personal retelling of the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, colorfully created via Flash animation. Folman voices himself, an Israeli Army veteran who tries to remember his service during the First Lebanon War, specifically the Sabra and Shatila Massacre, in which 800 Palestinian civilians were killed by Christian Phalangists. The film’s topic is weighty, and those with a limited knowledge of its historical aspects will struggle somewhat, but the overarching themes about the nonsensical nature of war are effectively communicated. And the use of animation further enhances the story’s dreamlike intent.

Shelf Talk: Waltz With Bashir was critically lauded upon its release, winning several prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe. Thus, there should already be some awareness for this title, whose stunning visuals also will attract curious viewers. Those who enjoy history-based animated films, such as Persepolis, will want to check out this film.

Foreign-language animated drama, color, R (disturbing images, violence, nudity, sexual content), 90 min., DVD $28.96, BD $39.95, Hebrew with English subtitles
Extras: English-language version, featurettes, Q&A, commentary
Director: Ari Folman
First Run: L, Dec. 2008, $2.3 mil.

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