Watch The Human Resources Manager

The Human Resources Manager, directed by Eran Riklis, is a 2010 Israeli film that tells the story of a human resources manager at a Jerusalem bakery. The film is a remarkable mixture of drama, comedy, and road movie genres. It features a talented cast, including Mark Ivanir as the human resources manager, Guri Alfi as a journalist, and Noah Silver as the bakery owner's son.

The movie begins with a tragic incident. A foreign worker from Romania, Yulia, is killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Her body remains in the morgue for a month, unidentified, until the bakery owner discovers that the woman was once employed by his company. He asks the human resources manager to accompany Yulia's body back to her native country and to issue a public apology to her family.

The human resources manager reluctantly agrees to the task, and the story takes a dramatic turn. He travels to Romania, accompanied by the bakery owner's son, Yulia's ex-husband, and a young journalist named Noah. The trip turns into a road movie, with the group having to overcome various obstacles, both logistical and personal, in their efforts to return Yulia home.

The first half of the movie focuses on the human resources manager's initial reluctance to take on the task, as well as his personal struggles as the father of a teenage girl who is going through a rebellious phase. His relationship with his wife is strained, and he finds himself drifting away from his family.

As they journey through Romania, the human resources manager is forced to confront his prejudices and to confront the true scope of his company's responsibility for Yulia's tragic death. He learns about the harsh living conditions faced by the Roma minority in Romania, and the ways in which foreign workers are exploited by companies in Israel and elsewhere.

The second half of the movie is a more satirical and absurd take on the road movie genre, as the group encounters various difficulties, including a stolen passport, a funeral procession, and uncooperative officials. As they navigate their way through these obstacles, the human resources manager begins to bond with his companions and to confront his own demons. The journalist, Noah, is a particular standout, bringing a lively and irreverent energy to the otherwise serious proceedings.

Overall, The Human Resources Manager is a moving and poignant film that explores issues of identity, responsibility, and the human cost of globalization. It is a film that deftly balances humor and tragedy, and features strong performances from all of its actors. Director Eran Riklis has created a cinematic gem that will stay with audiences long after the credits have rolled.

The Human Resources Manager is a 2010 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 62.