Scaffolding (Matan Yair, 2017): Israel | Poland

Reviewed by Michael Geraghty. Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, 2018.

Director Matan Yair focuses on issues of the father-son relationship with a story of growth and a man finding his place in the world of today. Beautifully shot, the film quietly captures these relationships and lets the acting speak for itself.  Asher Lax (playing as Asher) delivers a fantastic performance that makes you wonder whether he is acting at all-it is that believable. Ami Smolartchik (playing as Rami) does a brilliant job of deliver nuances that make the relationship between Asher and Rami all the more believable.

Asher is a 17 year old student that seems unable to break through his many challenges. After discovering that Asher is part of a remedial school program for challenged students, we see Asher struggle to complete his matriculation exams, something his father does not seem to happy about. Ashers father, Milo (played by Yaacov Cohen) is a scaffolding business owner that wants Asher to pursue business rather than education. It is only Rami, Asher teacher that is keeping Asher on his path. After tragedy strikes, Asher’s world crumples has his male figures disappear around him. Ashers movement from that point on will end up changes his life-for better or for worse.

This film captures the father-son, male-male relationship in a subtlety I have not witnessed before. With subtle twists, tensions build and the viewer is kept engaged throughout. Brilliantly shot with great acting, the film is a must see that will bring you into a world that little care to focus on.


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