Dancing Arabs 2014

Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic: The film feels quietly truthful, as it focuses more on small, pivotal moments than big ones. Read more

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: "Identity" demonstrates its boldness not with stylistic originality but with political acuity. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: Director Eran Riklis (Lemon Tree) balances an endearing nostalgia for the period -- particularly its counterculture -- with cutting observations of the minority experience Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: A fine blend of the universal - teen love, rebellion, tragedy - and riveting specificity, while also working as sharp social critique. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: "A Borrowed Identity" starts out nice and easy but don't be fooled. This is a soft-seeming film about a hard-edged, difficult subject, an Israeli film that offers a picture from life's other side. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: Riklis is a director of enormous grace and handles the various character dynamics with sensitivity. Read more

Andy Webster, New York Times: Impressive acting (especially from Mr. Suliman and Yael Abecassis as Yonatan's mother) enhances this thoughtful drama, directed with a sure hand by Mr. Riklis, a film veteran. Read more

David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle: Unusually delicate, sometimes funny, often dramatic, and ultimately profound. Read more

Simon Houpt, Globe and Mail: Riklis, working from an adaptation of a popular novel by the Arab-Israeli writer Sayed Kashua, is wryly perceptive of the ways each side exoticizes and demonizes the other. Read more

Bruce Demara, Toronto Star: Nicely balanced between levity and poignancy, Kashua's script provides a twist at the end that is certain to provoke strong reaction from both sides of the historical divide. Read more

Marsha McCreadie, Village Voice: Traditional coming-of-age films like A Borrowed Identity don't often come from Israel, which is one of the film's points. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: Under Riklis's direction, the film's first act lulls the audience into a sense of familiarity, before plunging into a darker reality. The effect is shattering. Read more