A documentary featuring interviews with all surviving former heads of Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency whose activities and membership are closely held state secrets.
This is a film that leaves a knot in the stomach, and no easy solutions as to how to get rid of it.
Insightful, revelatory and profound, Moreh's Oscar-nominated documentary combines riveting interviews, archive footage and - yes - state-of-the-art photographic effects to offer a unique perspective on the Israel-Palestine issue.
Dror Moreh's sombre documentary is a journalistic coup.
What's revealed (although perhaps another layer of half-truth) is a compelling overview of a modern security agency – bred in a moral grey area, organising state-sanctioned violence, but uncertain of the strength of its political safety net.
The result is an intelligent, compelling and thoroughly accessible history lesson that shines a fresh light on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestine conflict.
Makes for truly bracing viewing.
First-rate.
“We win every battle but lose the war.” With plenty of archive footage it’s also a riveting but depressing history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
An obvious omission is a Palestinian voice, although Moreh does his best to challenge his interviewees. His film is absorbing, frustrating and frequently surprising in its frankness.
Fascinating.
The Gatekeepers: A Zero Dark Thirty, with added morals
Film-maker captures Israeli spy chiefs' doubts over covert killing operations
Cameo, Edinburgh from Friday April 12, 2013, until Thursday April 18, 2013. More info: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/