Watch Eyes of a Thief

Eyes of a Thief is an emotionally-charged drama set in the aftermath of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Directed by Najwa Najjar, the movie portrays the struggles of a Palestinian man, Tareq (played by Kal Naga), who returns to his homeland after spending fifteen years in an Israeli prison. Tareq's journey is complicated by the fact that his wife, younger brother, and other family members have moved on with their lives, while he feels stuck in the past, haunted by the memories of his incarceration.

As Tareq tries to reconnect with his family, he finds that his once-close relationships have become strained, and his brother's widow, Hala (Souad Massi), seems particularly hostile towards him. Despite this, Tareq persists in his efforts to rebuild a sense of normalcy in his life, taking a job driving a school bus and becoming involved in the community.

Tareq's attempts to move on are further complicated by his interactions with an Israeli woman named Sarah (Hagar Ben-Asher), whom he meets by chance one day. Their conversations are laden with tension, as Tareq struggles to reconcile his lingering anger towards Israelis with his growing feelings of attraction towards Sarah.

Meanwhile, tensions in the community are rising, as rumors circulate about an alleged thief who has been stealing from homes. When Tareq's brother is killed while investigating the thief, Tareq becomes determined to find out the truth about what happened.

Eyes of a Thief is a poignant exploration of the lingering trauma of war and the difficulties of moving on from past conflicts. The movie is shot in a beautiful, often haunting style, with stunning landscapes juxtaposed against the oppressive atmosphere of the occupied territories.

The performances in the film are equally impressive, with Kal Naga delivering a nuanced portrayal of a man struggling to reconcile his past with his present. Souad Massi is also exceptional as Hala, conveying both the pain and resilience of a woman who has lost everything. The chemistry between Naga and Ben-Asher is palpable, and their scenes together are electric with emotion.

The movie is not without its flaws, however. At times, the pacing can feel slow, and certain plot points are left unresolved. Additionally, some viewers may find the ending unsatisfying or ambiguous. Nonetheless, Eyes of a Thief is a powerful and thought-provoking film that provides a nuanced view of the complex realities of life in the Middle East.

Overall, Eyes of a Thief is a stunning and heart-wrenching portrayal of a man struggling to rebuild his life after years of imprisonment. With its richly drawn characters and beautiful cinematography, the film offers a poignant and compelling look at the injustices and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Eyes of a Thief is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.