Watch Campfire

Campfire is a 2004 Israeli drama film directed by Joseph Cedar. Set in the year 1981, it tells the story of a widow named Rachel Gerlik (Michaela Eshet) who moves with her two teenage daughters, Tami (Hani Furstenberg) and Esti (Maya Maron), to a rural town in the West Bank, where they plan to join a settlement camp. The film is divided into three different chapters, each bearing the name of one of the daughters, which corresponds to the storylines that take place in parallel throughout the film. The first chapter, named after Tami, deals with her quest to find love and belong somewhere. As a teenager, Tami is struggling with her identity and tries to fit in with the other teenage settlers in the camp. However, she soon realizes that the romantic interest she has in one of the boys is thwarted by the boy's father, who opposes the relationship.

The second chapter, named after Esti, tells the story of her attempt to find out what happened to her mother, Rachel, during her stay at the camp. Esti becomes suspicious of the events that took place while they were living in the camp and decides to investigate. She discovers that her mother was involved in an incident that put her at odds with some of the settlers.

The third and final chapter is named after Rachel, and it explores her struggle to come to terms with her own identity as a widow and her place in the camp. She develops a close bond with a local man named Menachem (Moshe Ivgy), who helps her cope with her grief and reevaluate her life choices.

Overall, Campfire is a poignant drama that explores themes of identity, belonging, and grief. The film is set against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it is not a political film. Instead, it focuses on the human stories of the characters and their relationships with each other. The cast gives excellent performances, particularly Michaela Eshet, who portrays Rachel with depth and nuance.

Joseph Cedar's direction is subtle, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the characters and their stories. The film's cinematography is also notable, with beautiful shots of the West Bank landscape and excellent use of lighting to convey the characters' emotions.

Overall, Campfire is a thought-provoking film that will resonate with viewers who have experienced loss or struggled with their own sense of identity. It is a well-crafted drama that highlights the talents of its cast and director, and it is definitely worth watching.