An American Hippie in Israel

1972 "Right-On!"
4.6| 1h35m| R| en
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Incited by a disillusioned young man who has decided to flee from civilization, a group of 4 people go searching for freedom and happiness on an isolated island . When their boat goes astray and they are left without food, their animal instincts take over, bringing the film to its catastrophic end.

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Reviews

Sharkflei Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.
Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.
BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.
caspian1978 The only saving grace of this movie is the symbolism that keeps popping up. Considered by many to be one of the worst movies ever made, more still consider it to be the worst Israeli movie ever made. Originally titled, the Hitchhiker, this movie has been defined as a metaphorical counter-culture film. I will disagree with its current label of being a psychedelic drama. Not once in the movie do we see anyone taking drugs or hallucinating...technically. The central character of the story is Mike, who is introduced wearing goat fur. The goat symbolize fertility, vitality and ceaseless energy. The he-goat (buck) is the epitome of masculine virility and creative energy. Among being a veteran, Mike identifies to the audience as being a "Hippie". From his long hair, down to his bare feet. Throughout the entire movie, Mike walks around without shoes or sandals. Bare feet have come to symbolize innocence or childhood in a glorifying perception of freedom from real-life requirements. Others see Mike's shoe less character as one that is dead. In some cultures, the dead are buried without their shoes. Meaning, Mike may be a ghost if not dead inside. After all, Mike is being chase by two Mimes that look like Undertakers. Returning from the War, he has given up on the world and is constantly trying to find beauty and love. The dream he has showcases all the horrors or war, ignorance, imprisonment, hunger and hate in the world. To dream that you are screaming symbolizes anger and fear. If you try to scream, but no sound comes out, then it indicates your sense of helplessness and frustration in some situation. Mike's dream is completely silent. The movie is flawed in many ways, but throughout the movie, you can see symbolism in the innocence in the white car they drive, the ruins on the island, the biblical way they dance for joy on the edge of the beach, and most of all, symbolism in the lamb. In Christianity, the lamb represents Christ as both suffering and triumphant; it is typically a sacrificial animal, and may also symbolize gentleness, innocence, and purity. The lamb symbolizes sweetness, forgiveness and meekness. The ending is powerful and delivers the most obvious message for its audience. However, the low budget, mediocre acting and rushed production quality makes it difficult for many to take seriously. And that is the biggest shame about the movie.
wes-connors Flying to Israel from New York City, American hippie and Vietnam War veteran Asher Tzarfati (as Mike) is picked up while hitchhiking, by attractive actress Lily Avidan (as Elizabeth). They almost get into an accident with two mute men in weird suits and chalk-white make-up. These men have been following Mr. Tzarfati around the world. After copulating at her place, the twosome enjoy a fun hippie lifestyle. They befriend another couple, Shmuel Wolf and Tzila Karney. The foursome end up on a deserted island paradise where they either go naked or wear tight bikinis...The island is supposed to be a paradise, with plenty of freedom. However, after sex and frolicking, the quartet eventually find their food and transportation are gone. They are stranded and begin to act like the animals. Apparently, the outside world isn't going to let Amos Sefer's hippies obtain freedom without a fight. This is an allegorical story hampered by the fact that the characters we're supposed to like are so annoying, we're often rooting for them to get shot or run over. The dubbing and repetitive soundtrack are not helpful. The location footage is most appealing.*** An American Hippie in Israel/ Ha-Trempist (1972) Amos Sefer ~ Asher Tzarfati, Lily Avidan, Shmuel Wolf, Tzila Karney
PKazee I believe that Markastzm's review gets everything right, except one very thing. Indeed, he is correct that the mimes and the sharks both represent "The Man", and also that the film does not refute hippie ideals, but rather shows the unrelenting glee "The Man" takes in squashing those embracing those ideals. Markastzm is wrong, however, when he states that "Neither the characters, the actors, nor the director take themselves too seriously". There is an interview with two of the actors on the blu-ray disc and they indicate that took all of this very seriously, and that - to some extent - they all naively thought they were making a important statement. And it is precisely this that makes this film such a jaw-droppingly WTF oddity. Tedious to no end, but also fun in the right mindset with the right group of friends.
scottjo63-644-593619 I did like this movie however I wouldn't want to see it again. There are a lot of long scenes of nothing which I remedied by going to you tube and listening to a review while the movie was playing, sort of a commentary kind of thing you see in DVDs. That did work and when they would start talking again, I paused the review.This movie kept my interest until the end and that was something. Turned into a cave man movie where they all stopped talking and grunted and growled. They didn't like war but they sure had a cat fight battle at the end.I liked the meanings of the 2 mimes as maybe the government and when they were on the island became the sharks. And the speech about "pushing buttons" reminded me a little of the "I'm as mad hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore" speech.Maybe a better movie to watch if you are doped up.