The Band’s Visit
A gentle, unpretentious comedy that posits a why-can’t-we-just-get-along approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict. An Egyptian police orchestra is stranded in a dusty desert town; thrown on the mercy of their Israeli hosts, awkwardness evolves into mutual affection. It’s powered by excellent performances — just the right side of deadpan — and doesn’t gets remotely preachy. The Arabic-Hebrew credit roll gives you some idea of writer-director Eran Kolirin’s ambition. — Andrew Pulver