Review: Yossi (2012)

Directed by: Eytan Fox | 84 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Ohad Knoller, Oz Zehavi, Lior Ashkenazi, Orly Silbersatz Banai, Ola Schur Selektar, Meir Golan, Shlomi Ben Attar, Amir Jerassi, Raffi Tavor, Shlomo Sadan, Gil Desiano, Keren Ann, Bobbi Jean Smith, Nuria Lusinzky

“Yossi” is the sequel to “Yossi & Jagger”, which told the story of two Israeli soldiers who fell in love. In the first film Yossi loses his great love, in this sequel we see how he fared. Yossi is now a cardiologist at the Tel Aviv hospital, he is still not open and honest with his environment and generally does not seem very happy. After a meeting with Jagger’s parents, he changes course and decides to travel to the Sinai desert. On the way, he gives a few soldiers, who are on their way to a seaside resort, a lift. Because of something one of the soldiers says to him, he decides to stay for a while.

Director Eytan Fox makes a completely different film with “Yossi” that is a nice follow-up to his earlier film, because he shows the impact of the events from the first film on the life of the main character. Yossi is now ten years later, several kilos heavier and leads a lonely life outside the hospital. Ohad Knoller seems made for the role of the insecure Yossi with his melancholy look and shy smile. He convincingly conveys what it is like to suffer from a broken heart, without becoming pathetic.

What is refreshing about “Yossi” is that the film is not forced to deal with homosexuality, the protagonist may struggle with this, but that seems to stem more from the fact that he has lost his great love. The openly gay soldier Tom teaches Yossi that it is not necessary to present yourself differently to the outside world. Ultimately, “Yossi” is a film about losing love and finding a way to regain happiness. A subject that many people will be able to empathize with.