Real and raw
"Burning Man": A Gripping Israeli Drama That'll Have You Hugging Your Kids a Little Tighter
"Nothing about that's normal": Eyal Halfon's new film, Burning Man, captures the heart-pounding reality of sending a child to the army. A raw, timely look at Israeli parental anxiety in the shadow of October 7.
Ah, the bittersweet rite of passage every Israeli parent knows all too well: waving goodbye to your kid as they head off to military service, heart pounding with a mix of pride and pure terror. Director Eyal Halfon nails this emotional rollercoaster in his latest flick, "Burning Man," a raw, intimate story that feels like it was ripped straight from our collective psyche, especially in these post-October 7 times when "what if" looms larger than ever.
Picture this: Yona Kimchi, a relatable guy in his fifties (played with spot-on everyman charm), drops his son at a dusty, remote army base in the desert. They share a smoke, a coffee, and that awkward dad-son chat before the kid waves and marches into the unknown. But Yona? He can't just drive off like it's no big deal. Nope, a wave of crippling anxiety hits, and he parks himself under a massive acacia tree by the fence, turning what should be a quick goodbye into a soul-searching vigil. It's like a "road trip" movie, but stuck in neutral, brilliant, right?
As Yona camps out, a quirky cast of desert wanderers drifts by, each dropping little nuggets of wisdom or distraction that chip away at his fears. Bonds form on that makeshift bench, all while he's glued to his phone, waiting for a text, a call, anything to say his boy's okay.
Halfon, drawing from his own life when his eldest enlisted, captures the insane duality of it all: the repression we shove down to "be strong," the quiet heroism of waiting, and yeah, even a dash of escapist fantasy about ditching it all for the wild freedom of Nevada's Burning Man festival.
Halfon puts it perfectly: "Sending your child to be a soldier? Nothing about that's normal, but here we are, suppressing the panic, beaming with pride, and laundering those uniforms like it's therapy."
Filmed just weeks before the horrors of October 7 flipped our world, the movie now packs an even bigger punch, reminding us how fragile that "routine" really is.
Ynet added that "'Burning Man' received the grand prize for Best Feature Film at the 'State Cinema Ceremony,' initiated by Minister of Culture Miki Zohar. "
If you're a parent who's been there (or dreads the day), grab tissues and catch "Burning Man" when it hits theaters early this month. It's not just a film, it's a mirror to our resilient, anxiety-ridden souls. Trust me, you'll walk out appreciating those homecoming hugs a whole lot more.