NU Underdogs A War Movie Documentary Review Essay

Watch the documentary film UnderdogDirected by Doron Tzabar and Rino Tzror(Israel 1996), and compose a documentary review. Your review should compose based on the book Israeli Media and the Framing of Internal Conflict: The Yemenite Babies Affair written by Madmoni-Gerber-Gerber, Shoshana.

Guidelines for Writing a Film Review:
Use the following questions to help you think about creating a good film review. The
review is an essay, and should include specific quotes and scenes from the film,
historical context, and your analysis. Your essay should be 300-400 words, doublespaced.
1. Start with title of the film, director’s name, year, and country where the film
was made.
2. What is the film about? What is the main issue? (political/social). This
includes: a summary of the story lines, ideas and opinions conveyed, and
context and subtext (implications/suggestions) of the film.
3. What is the context of the issue? (This is where your reading and discussion
should help).
4. Find and include interesting details about the directors’ history you think
might be relevant to the film, such as political views or previous work.
5. What cinematic tools does the director use to tell the story? Have you noticed
any cinematic manipulations? What are they, and to what effect?
6. Who are the speakers in the film? Describe at least three of them: who are
they? Begin with name, age, gender, religion, nationality, and ethnicity. What
do they represent in the film and in reality? What are their points of view?
How do their views contribute to the overall text of the film?
7. Is the director asking viewers to consider a particular point of view?
8. What are your emotional and intellectual reactions to the film? (use specific
scenes and dialogue, and describe why they affected you).
9. Does the end of the film give you closure? Are you moved to find out more or
take action?
10. What important questions are raised by the movie?