Classic Israeli Films For Yom Ha'atzmaut

There is nothing more Israeli than lighting up a mangal on Yom Ha'atzmaut, and then sitting down to watch some good ol' classic Israeli Burekas films. What is a Burekas film you ask?

Well, it refers to a genre of Israeli films from the 1960s to the 1980s. The name's origin most likely dates back to an interview with Israeli director Boaz Davidson, where he stated he should make Israeli Burekas films just like the Italians have their Spaghetti Westerns.

Pop some popcorn and grab some snacks for an awesome Israeli movie night!

Honestly, choosing between spaghetti and burekas isn't easy, they're both so good, but it is Yom Ha'atzmaut, so here are our Burekas film recommendations for you:

צַ'רְלִי וָחֵצִי - Charlie Vahezi

A true Israeli favorite. The film depicts a unique relationship between Charlie, a small-time crook, and Mikko, a young orphan living with his older sister in a small hut. The film is considered one of the most famous Israeli films of all time.

Interesting fact, half of the scenes were filmed before the Yom Kippur War, but when the war broke out, the actors and producers were drafted by their reserves units, and the remaining scenes were only filmed after the war.

הַשּׁוֹטֵר אָזוּלַאי - HaShoter Azulai

Efraim Kishon's film tells the story of Azulai, a policeman who spent 20 years in the force without climbing the ranks, because of his many failures and innocent mistakes.

The film received international acclaim and was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film Award. It didn't win the Oscar, but it sure won the Golden Globe Award for the same category. Much respect.

גִּבְעַת חַלְפוֹן אֵינָהּ עוֹנָה - Giv'at Halfon Einah Onah

Arguably the greatest cult movie in Israeli film history. This genius piece of art shows how crazy it was serving in the IDF Reserves in the time after the Yom Kippur War.

Interesting fact - Assi Dayan, the film's director already wrote a sequel script, and the sequel's filming was planned to start in 2008, but after Yisrael Polyakov, one of the movie's stars, died in October 2007, the filming was canceled. It's probably for the best though, filming a sequel after 40 years doesn't sound like a great idea.

So what movie are you going to pick?