Alila (2003)

In the heart of Tel Aviv, under the shadow of suicide bombings and political elections, the story of Alila unfolds. Ezra, a man cloaked in melancholy, employs undocumented workers to construct an extension to an unassuming apartment block. This labyrinthine building, teeming with the complexities of life, is home to his ex-wife Mali and her new partner, Ilan. Their son, Eyal, a young rebel disillusioned with the military, has fled his duties, finding solace amidst the underbelly of the city, amidst prostitutes and peddlers of narcotics. Meanwhile, Mali's radiant friend Gabi is entangled in a clandestine affair with Hezi, an older man with a taste for the secretive. Their rendezvous take place in a rented apartment within the same building, the soundtrack of their passion echoing through the walls, drawing the ire of their neighbours. As the lives of these characters intertwine and orbit each other, Ezra's cynical observation about Israeli society serves as a haunting refrain - "Everyone's out for himself." In this intricate dance of human desires and secrets, Alila offers a mirror to an everyman's Tel Aviv, where personal narratives play out against a backdrop of national turmoil.

Alila is a comedy movie featuring Yaël Abecassis.

Alila is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Chai Flicks.

It is also possible to buy Alila on Amazon Video and Kino Now.