The Band's Visit

Critics Consensus

The Band's Visit is both a clever, subtle slice-of-life comedy, and poignant cross-cultural exploration.

98%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 117

86%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 13,550
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The Band's Visit Photos

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Movie Info

A band composed of members of the Egyptian police force heads to Israel to play at the inaugural ceremony of an Arab arts center, only to find themselves lost in the wrong town.

Cast

Sasson Gabai
as Tewfiq
Ronit Elkabetz
as Dina
Saleh Bakri
as Haled
Khalifa Natour
as Simon
Imad Jabarin
as Camal
Hisham Khoury
as Fauzi
Tarak Kopty
as Iman
Francois Khell
as Makram
Francois Kheel
Eyad Sheety
as Saleh
Shlomi Avraham
as Papi
Rubi Moscovich
as Itzik
Uri Gabriel
as Avrum
Hila Surjon Fischer
Ahouva Keren
as Lea
Ahuva Keren
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Critic Reviews for The Band's Visit

All Critics (117) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (115) | Rotten (2)

  • For all of its dry wit and visual gags, The Band's Visit is ultimately a poignant slice of life about people from totally different backgrounds and cultures forging unexpected connections and healing old wounds.

    July 6, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Matthew Lucas

    From the Front Row
    Top Critic

  • It's not going to solve any problems in the Middle East, and it doesn't attempt to, either. It's just a quiet story about the uncomfortable charm of coerced hospitality.

    August 22, 2017 | Full Review…

    Annie Wagner

    The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
    Top Critic

  • It's both quintessentially Israeli and an enjoyable experience that will touch audiences no matter what their background.

    March 1, 2016 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Hannah Brown

    Jerusalem Post
    Top Critic

  • Quote not available.

    November 18, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Hank Sartin

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • [Writer/director Eran] Kolirin finds bittersweet humor in the comedy of their melancholy lives and fumbling efforts at communication and common ground

    August 3, 2011 | Full Review…

    Sean Axmaker

    Turner Classic Movies Online
    Top Critic

  • Filmmaker Kolirin shows Israelis what they've been missing, and the rest of us what the Middle East could be, in the gentle, human-scale antics of the confused Egyptian band.

    April 28, 2011 | Full Review…

    Kelly Vance

    East Bay Express
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (117)

Audience Reviews for The Band's Visit

  • Nov 07, 2011
    A trip to Israeli nowheresville by a minor Egyptian civic band is an occasion for a interesting little filmic investigation into what forces make us all tick. Everyone expects trouble ... and are pleasantly disappointed. Slowly budding revelation sparkles like light on a pond across the faces of this cast of unknowns.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 12, 2011
    It was a movie that almost felt ashamed of itself, but in a good/weird way. It was the opposite of dramatic or flashy, but kept you captivated anyway. I liked it!
    Sarah P Super Reviewer
  • Jun 09, 2011
    A touching and considered slice of life that's kind of like those small-town-in-the-Midwest movies where everyone's in pain, except it happens in the Israeli desert, and the new guys in town are a police band from Egypt. A lean film, but one that still takes its time, and one that was well lauded on the festival circuit. Definitely worth a look - reminded me of Wim Wenders for no obvious reason.
    Daniel P Super Reviewer
  • Jan 14, 2010
    <i>"Once-not long ago-a small Egyptian police band arrived in Israel. Not many remember this...It wasn't that important."</i> A band comprised of members of the Egyptian police force head to Israel to play at the inaugural ceremony of an Arab arts center, only to find themselves lost in the wrong town. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> 'The Band's Visit' is a cinematic breath of fresh air in a market overwrought with cine dreck. It tells the story of an Egyptian Police band that has gone over to Israel for a concert at an Arab cultural centre, only to find that they have ended up in the wrong town. In a period of 24 hours, they manage to establish friendships among some of the town's off beat residents. It shows that despite cultural differences between Arabs and Jews, they manage to (for the most part) rise above prejudices and make the most of an awkward situation. Major kudos to the film's writer/director for forging a finely tuned story, as well as a cast to act out their parts equally well. This film may remind you at times of some of the tongue in cheek comedies of Aki Kaurismaki.
    Lorenzo v Super Reviewer
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