‘Image of Victory’ Review: Israel’s Most Expensive Movie Offers a Nuanced Look at the Price of War
variety.comAlissa Simon Film Critic“Every big story is made of little stories,” a novice Egyptian newsreel director patiently explains to those who question his footage in the epic historical drama “Image of Victory.” It’s also a truism that pithily describes veteran Israeli helmer Avi Nesher’s engrossing 19th feature, which highlights young people during a dramatic time of history and brims with small episodes of courage, passion and humor.Inspired by real events, the film provides a nuanced look at circumstances leading up to the June 1948 fighting at Kibbutz Nitzanim, viewed from both the Egyptian and Israeli perspectives.
Its consideration of how storytelling and visual images can be weaponized makes it a tale with great resonance for these times.
Now streaming on Netflix, it marks Israel’s most expensive production, and the rousing result indicates that it was money well spent.
By bookending the narrative with scenes set in Cairo in 1979, as Egypt and Israel sign a historic peace accord, writer-director Nesher finds room to reflect on (spoiler alert) the fall of Nitzanim, an event which fits uneasily in Israel’s national mythology.
Read more on variety.com