Here We Are (2020)

Directed by: Nir Bergman | 94 minutes | drama | Actors: Shai Avivi, Noam Imber, Smadi Wolfman, Efrat Ben-Zur, Amir Feldman, Sharon Zelikovsky, Natalia Faust, Uri Klauzner, Avraham Shalom Levi, Omri Levi, Avi Madar, Rony Gammer, Davit Gavish, Yaron Levi Sabag, Omri David , Guilad Hazavi

The final scene of ‘Here We Are’ will leave no one unmoved. Even before that, the tree is regularly shaken emotionally. ‘Here We Are’ by director Nir Bergman is a heartwarming, empathetic drama about a father’s love for his son.

Aharon (Shai Avivi), a divorced in his fifties, has retired from his graphic work to devote himself fully to caring for his autistic son Uri (Noam Imber). However, according to Aharon’s ex-wife and in accordance with a court decision, it is time for the almost adult Uri to start living independently. However, the stubborn Aharon doesn’t want to give up. In his view, he is the only one who understands his son exactly and fully. The direct object, Uri, relies entirely on him and the two seem inseparable.

Despite the pleas of his ex Tamara (Smadar Wolfman) to take him to the carefully chosen new home, Aharon decides to take Uri on a road trip once en route. During the trip, at an almost empty fair, the two visit a few addresses. They visit an old college friend of Aharon’s, Aharon’s brother and they spend a day at the beach. However, Aharon gradually notices that it is not all roses and moons. Tensions rise because Uri sometimes plays unexpected tricks. The question is: How long does Aharon want to keep his son close and at what cost? Is Uri the one who doesn’t like the inevitable divorce or is father Aharon not ready for it yet?

The acting is very realistic in ‘Here We Are’. Both the father, the son and the ex come into their own within the subtle scenario. Director Bergman does not use any stereotypes and the lurking false sentiment is also skilfully avoided. We see a father struggling to let go. And we see a son who loves asterisk pasta, pizza, dogs and his two goldfish. When his mother comes in with new T-shirts, Uri asks, “Daddy, do I like the color yellow?” And if he doesn’t trust an answer from his father, we hear the questioning “Just kidding? The two have an inseparable bond, but who will be the first to embrace the inevitable reality that presents itself?

‘Here We Are’ can best be described as a subtle, moving road movie. A sensitive film that deserves many viewers, if only to remove some clichés about autism.