many reviews describe “laila’s birthday” as funny and humorous. some go so far as to compare the film’s lead actor mohamed bakri to buster keaton. i got a different vibe from the film.
filmed in ramallah, in the west bank, “laila’a birthday” is subtle. it cannot help but deal with life in the occupied territories and the director is not shy about exploring its grim side, but he does so with a quiet elegance that sidesteps what could have been much more heavy-handed, graphic content. at the same time, the film is immensely skilful in conveying a sense of weariness and frustration that comes from lack of control over one’s life. abu laila is a judge yet he cannot find a job, so he drives his brother-in-law’s taxi. every morning he goes to the ministry of justice to plead his case but he is met with bureaucratic inefficiency and indifference. he is devoted to his daughter laila, who is turning ten. abu laila’s mission on her birthday is to buy a cake and present and be home on time.
as his day unfolds we drive through overcrowded streets (the west bank and gaza are some of the most densely populated areas in the world), we hear about a missile attack on a car which killed the man inside, we learn about people queuing up at checkpoints where abu laila refuses to drive his passengers because he is afraid for himself and for his taxi, we see people get in line wherever they see a line in hopes of getting some food, we hear the constant sound of helicopters hovering overheard and much more. but the film is not bitter or depressing. it keeps its focus on how life continues to function under these circumstances and pokes some fun at how people cope.
being a judge, abu laila is a firm believer in the rule of law. he is moral, upright, and yearns for order. his character’s struggles are effectively contrasted with a society so dominated by unpredictability, that the pursuit of law and order become meaningless. but as the ending of the film shows, sometimes randomness can lead to a happy resolution. directed by rashid masharawi.
p.s. discovered palestinian actor saleh bakri in this movie. he’s mohamed bakri’s son and has a tiny role in the film (a passenger who travels briefly in abu laila’s taxi). he is probably one of the most stunning actors i have ever seen and (based on what i read online) is considered a heartthrob in much of the middle east!