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: 13,546
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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.

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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 (37)

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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