Watch Joe Belle

Joe + Belle is a dark comedy from 2011 that follows two young women from Tel Aviv who find themselves on the run from the law. The film stars Sivan Levy as Joe, a rebellious Palestinian-Israeli girl, and Veronica Kedar as Belle, a self-destructive Israeli DJ. At the start of the movie, Belle is trying to overdose on sleeping pills in a seedy nightclub bathroom, but Joe interrupts her suicide attempt. The two women strike up an unlikely friendship and end up stealing a car from a gang of violent Russian mobsters.

As they drive through Israel, the women encounter a series of eccentric characters, including a hypersexual hitchhiker and a drug dealer with a pet tortoise. Throughout their misadventures, Joe and Belle develop a deeper understanding of each other's backgrounds and struggles.

However, their escapades take a dark turn when they accidentally run over a cop and become fugitives from the law. As the police close in, Joe and Belle must confront the consequences of their actions and decide what they are truly willing to risk for freedom and redemption.

Joe + Belle is a raw and unflinching exploration of modern Israel and the complexities of identity, religion, and gender. The film is shot in a gritty, handheld style that captures the intensity of the women's journey and the chaotic energy of the Israeli landscape.

Levy and Kedar deliver standout performances, with Levy bringing a fierce intensity to her role as Joe while Kedar imbues Belle with a self-destructive vulnerability. Together, the two actresses have a magnetic chemistry that drives the film's emotional core.

The supporting cast also shines, with Romi Aboulafia giving a memorably quirky performance as a drug dealer who befriends Joe and Belle. As the women's interactions with the various characters they encounter become increasingly surreal and unpredictable, the film takes on a dreamlike quality that is both compelling and disorienting.

Joe + Belle is ultimately a story about two outsiders who find a sense of belonging and purpose in each other's company. Through their wild and unpredictable journey, the women learn to confront their pasts and embrace their identities, even in the face of immense danger and uncertainty.

Overall, Joe + Belle is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that will leave a lasting impression on viewers. Its unflinching exploration of identity, religion, and gender in contemporary Israel makes it a must-see for anyone interested in the complexities of the region and the struggles of its people.

Joe Belle is a 2011 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.