West Bank Story (Ari Sandel, 2005): USA

Reviewed by Kathleen Amboy.  Viewed on DVD.

What happens when a falafel fast food joint opens up next door to a kosher fast food joint in the West Bank?  You end up with a ridiculous love story/musical which is a hilarious parody of Robert Wise’s 1961 musical West Side Story, known as West Bank Story.

A Palestinian family owns the Hummus Hut while  next door an Israeli family owns the Kosher King and they’ll do what it takes to undermine the competing restaurant, like damaging equipment and destroying property.

When the sweet Hummus Hut clerk Fatima (Noureen DeWulf) falls in love with the handsome Israeli guard David (Ben Newmark), they sing out “When I See Him/Her,” and the warring between the two businesses escalates, until both burn to the ground.  With both restaurants in ruins the customers still need to be fed, leading David and Fatima to convince both families into compromising.

Beginning with the snapping of fingers, through 21 minutes, this short film is funny, clever and at no surprise, the 2007 Oscar winner for Best Short Film.