Life According To Agfa (1992)
The film takes place in Tel Aviv, much of it in a fictitious local pub called Barbie, a satirical nickname for a famous Israeli mental health institution. The pub's name hints at the characters and the events which occur in the pub and which befall its owner (Daliah), the employees and customers. The plot unfolds with a streak of violence which takes a surprising turn.
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Simply Perfect
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.
Can someone tell me why such a MASTERPIECE of an art film is IMPOSSIBLE to find on DVD?? If it is, PLEASE PLEASE tell me where, okey!!!!!!!!!It's not often I've experienced a story told with such passion and pain, where Assi Dayan have done this fantastic thing to color the film in black/white, which gave me an extra dimension in the relations between the characters and me as an observer to how these fascinating, but still so believable persons develop quite absurd relationships. He really gives you time to learn these regulars at the bar and then ends the film as he does, leaving you, or at least me with this very uncomfortable end!! It's just brilliant and disturbing, nearly left me with the feeling of loosing my friends in such a shocking way. WELL DONE!!!!
Dayan has made many films, But of those I have seen I think this is the Best. It is only in Black and White and not a documentary but it indirectly criticizes Israeli Society. It is also filmed in some of the worst part's of Downtown Tel Aviv. Gila Almagor is also at her Best in this film.
Though I live in London right now as a student, I'm Israeli. This movie is the kind of movie that makes me proud being Israeli. There are not many Israeli movies out there and most of them are boring carbon copies of each other starring the same people- which makes you think you're watching the same movie again and again. This movie is different. It has various interesting characters, and though it's exploring Israeli life, the theme of things is universal and will appeal to everyone. Followed by a nice, but not as good, sequel/prequel ("Electric Blanket Named Moshe, An ") focusing on some of the less important characters. A must see, if you get the chance to see it!
Well made Israeli drama with a subtle comic edge. Artistically shot in black-and-white, the story details the intertwining lives of those who frequent a small coffee-house/bar. An intimate vision of a microcosmos fraught with conflict, tension, romance, betrayal and madness, the characterizations are spot-on. Director Dayan (who is the son of eye-patch wearing Israeli army general Moshe Dayan) portrays this group of people and their situations convincingly, and the film is compelling throughout.Strictly adult viewing though, as "Agfa" contains coarse language, drug use and graphic violence, including a police interrogation torture scene on par with the "Stuck In The Middle With You" sequence from Reservoir Dogs. A challenging yet thought-provoking watch nonetheless, this movie will optimally be appreciated by an Israeli audience (due to many cultural references and Hebrew expressions to which no amount of subtitles can do justice) or an open-minded art-house buff. It also boasts one of the most unlikely and devastating endings ever committed to film, and for that alone, it deserves your attention.