A Borrowed Identity
Description
In this self-assured and accomplished film, celebrated filmmaker Eran Riklis adapts Sayed Kashua’s popular semi-autobiographical novel Dancing Arabs for the screen, fashioning an accessible coming-of-age story in an Israel resonant with contemporary cultural unrest. Young Eyad finds himself to be hopelessly provincial upon arrival at the most prestigious boarding school in Jerusalem, in large part due to the fact that he is the first Arab student to be admitted to the institution. Swapping out his ‘b’s for ‘p’s in pronunciation and reversing the position of knives and forks at the dinner table, he learns the small yet crucial ways to assimilate himself into an antagonistic culture. With the assistance of his adopted tribe—his loyal best friend and secret Jewish girlfriend—he distinguishes himself in the classroom, bringing his unique cultural perspective to daily lessons and finding unlikely allies in the process. —Leah LoSchiavo
Eran Riklis has been active in film since 1975, producing internationally acclaimed features Cup Final, The Syrian Bride, Lemon Tree and Zaytoun, among many short films and television series. Though much of his work has focused on Israel’s cultural landscape, Riklis views himself as a world director. A Borrowed Identity is his 12th feature film.
Film Details
Language Arabic, Hebrew
Original Language Title Aravim rokdim
Year 2014
Runtime 104
Country Israel/Germany/France
Director Eran Riklis
Producer Bettina Brokemper, Antoine De Clermont-Tonnerre, Michael Eckelt, Chilik Michaeli
Writer Sayed Kashua
Editor Richard Marizy
Cinematographer Michael Wiesweg
Music Yonatan Riklis
Cast Tawfeek Barhom, Ali Suliman, Yaël Abecassis