Israeli Director Nir Bergman makes a stunning visual impact with his debut film, BROKEN WINGS. Principal character Dafna (Orli Zilberschatz-Banai) is a single mother struggling to raise a family after the sudden death of her husband. Bergman slowly lets the tale of Dafna's woes unfold, before revealing that her husband met a bizarre and tragic end when he suffered a fatal allergic reaction from a bee sting. Nine months later the family is on the brink of implosion. To compound Dafna's worries, she is working night shifts as a hospital midwife, leaving fruitless attempts to hold the family together in the hands of her teenage daughter, Maya (Maya Maron). Yair (Nitai Gvirtz) is the eldest son of the family, whose attempt to deal with his father's death manifests itself in odd behavior patterns, such as walking around town dressed as a mouse. The lazy, apathetic Yair seems to care little about what happens to him or the family, and younger son, Ido (Daniel Magon) often mimics his brother's strange character quirks. Despite being united in their grief, the family members markedly different coping strategies (or lack thereof) often result in angry recriminations, closely followed by tears and feelings of guilt. As director Bergman effortlessly guides the film to its satisfying conclusion, he pulls the various strains of the story together, and utilizes his character studies to proffer some highly personal insights on life, loss and the appreciation of fellow human beings.

Theatrical Release: MARCH 12, 2004 (NY/LA)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Hebrew
Additional Release Material:
Trailers

Orly Zilberschatz-Banai: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)
Maya Maron: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)
Eliana Magon: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)
Nitai Gvirtz: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)
Daniel Magon: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)
Vladimir Freedman: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)
Danny "Mooki" Niv: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)
Dana Ivgy: Actor, BROKEN WINGS (2004)

Nir Bergman: Director, BROKEN WINGS (2004)

Nir Bergman: Director, BROKEN WINGS (2004)

Avi Belleli: Composer, BROKEN WINGS (2004)

"[Bergman] pulls it off, thanks to his sharp eye, compassion, and humor, and of course to the performances..."
"BROKEN WINGS makes you believe in the Ullmans and in the power of their mutual love to see them through."
"BROKEN WINGS, one of the most successful Israeli films of recent years, is, like its homeland, a study in unlikely contradictions."
"[T]he power of the sensitive, clear-eyed Israeli drama BROKEN WINGS likes in writer-director Nir Bergman's understanding of the tangible challenges of getting on with life following a death in the family."