"“Mostly emotionless, lacking in poignancy and substance...”"

Not only is Zaytoun a film about the bringing together of an Israeli and a Palestinian – but it's a collaborative effort from both nations also, as Israeli director Eran Riklis takes on a script by Palestinian writer Nader Rizq to create an intriguing film of friendship in the face of adversity.

Set in Beirut in 1982 – we follow the journey of young Palestinian refugee Fahed (Abdallah El Akal) who is determined to return home after the untimely death of his father during an air raid attack by Israeli fighter pilots. However, it is then another Israeli pilot who he needs to help assist him back home.

The man in question is Yoni (Stephen Dorff), who despite being held captive in the Lebanese  capital, promises young Fahed that with his help they can venture across the war-torn country together and return back to where they both wish to be. However, in doing so they must put their political differences aside and work together.

Despite the potentially touching premise, Zaytoun suffers in a sense that it's mostly emotionless, lacking in poignancy and substance. As a result you feel little warmth towards either Fahed or Yoni, which then devalues their predicament and relationship with one another. I fear Riklis doesn't know exactly what the film is trying to be, it is covering serious themes but they aren't presented with enough conviction and severity. The greatest example of this is when we see an innocent woman savagely shot dead on the side of the street, and no less than seconds later we cut to a clumsy cab driver singing along to The Bee Gees. I'm all for joviality in sincere productions, but this doesn't feel earnest enough in either approach, as both simply cheapen the other.

As for the story, not enough truly occurs on the pairs venture, as they don't meet many genuine challenges. It all appears somewhat too easy for them, which given their nationalities and the country they're attempting to journey through, I doubt would be so straight-forward. There is the occasional warning of sorts, but you never feel uneasy or as though our protagonists are genuinely at threat.

As for the performances, there is little criticism to make, although questions must be raised over the casting. Dorff isn't bad as such, but why an Israeli actor wasn't selected for the role is beyond me. The fact he is American proves a burden on the film, damaging the authenticity of the overall feature. For example all of the scenes featuring Palestinian's are spoken in their native language, whereas at the Israeli camp they all speak in English.

Dorff's most recent festival production Somewhere was met to great success, winning the much coveted Golden Lion award at Venice film Festival – however Zaytoun – which is airing at both Toronto and London respectively - is unlikely to do quite so well.