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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A film that shows in a very congenial way that there are people in Israel which only want to live in "love and peace" with the arabian people and that shows how dangerous it is to want this. This film should be a must for all people talking about the crises of Israel and Palestine.
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.
I think, although not being Israeli, everyone can understand the strong conflicts of these people, especially by seeing this brilliant masterpiece, which can be compared to "Do the Right Thing", also to "Nashville", because of the many diverse characters portrayed and the "explosive" final conflict. A very important and underestimated Movie, that impressed EVERYONE I know who saw 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.