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Lebanon (2009)

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2:14 | Trailer
During the First Lebanon War in 1982, a lone tank and a paratroopers platoon are dispatched to search a hostile town.

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16 wins & 15 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yoav Donat ... Shmulik
... Assi
... Hertzel
... Yigal
... Gamil (as Zohar Strauss)
... Syrian Captive
... 1st Phalangist (as Ashraf Barhum)
Fares Hananya ... 2nd Phalangist
... Lebanese Mother (as Reymonde Amsellem)
Bian Antir ... Lebanese Father
Aisha ... Lebanese child
Fatima ... Lebanese child (as Fatma)
Khaled Salam ... Lebanese Boy (as Khaled Salama)
Iad Abu Nama ... BMW Driver
Hussein Mahagna ... Truck Driver
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Storyline

June, 1982 - The First Lebanon War. A lone tank and a infantry platoon are dispatched to search a hostile town - a simple mission that turns into a nightmare. The four members of a tank crew find themselves in a violent situation that they cannot handle. Motivated by fear and the basic instinct of survival, they desperately try not to lose themselves in the most emblematic act of uncivilized problem solving: war. Written by Metro Communications

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama | War

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing bloody war violence, language including sexual references, and some nudity | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

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Language:

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Release Date:

15 October 2009 (Israel)  »

Also Known As:

Levanon  »

Filming Locations:


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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,145, 8 August 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$367,798, 19 December 2010
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The entire film was shot in and around Tel Aviv. See more »

Goofs

The photograph of the Eiffel Tower at the travel agency appears to be a more modern one, as it shows late model automobiles on the streets below. See more »

Connections

Referenced in HaYechida: Hug Me (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

Ana el Qwerka
Music by Mustapha Skandrani and lyrics by Mustapha Kechekoui
Performed by Sami Badra, with Vitali Podolski (accordion), Sanya Kroytor (violin) and Yisrael Bright (piano)
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User Reviews

 
Potent, claustrophobic depiction of war inside a tank
28 March 2010 | by – See all my reviews

Lebanon is based on director Samuel Maoz's own experiences as a soldier in the 1982 Israel- Lebanon conflict. The film focuses exclusively on the experiences of the four young Israelis that are responsible for operating a tank that rolls into Lebanese territory at the start of the war.

For almost the entire duration, the characters and the audience are trapped inside the vehicle; we can see only what they can externally through the narrow tunnel vision of a gun turret periscope. With no wider political context and little character background, this viewpoint successfully creates a claustrophobic, tense atmosphere and provides originality and intrigue to what might have been overlooked as 'another war film'.

The soldiers, confined to the tank, are inexperienced, tired, hungry, thirsty, scared, homesick, dirty, feverish and unable to work competently as a team. In the opening scene, their collective callowness leads to the deaths of a fellow soldier and an innocent civilian. From here, difficulty after difficulty presents itself in the form of hostile forces, indignant superior officers, technological issues and internal disputes.

The way the characters respond, the powerful use of imagery - and the contrast between the constant mechanical noise and darkness inside the tank, and the bright environment and varied action outside - combine to shape a potent viewing experience.


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