‘Foxtrot’ Trailer: Israel’s Controversial Oscar Contender

When Samuel Maoz‘s “Foxtrot” won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, not everyone was happy about it. The film, which follows a family mourning the death of their son who is killed while serving in the Israeli Defence Forces, drew the particular ire of Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev.

“When an Israeli film wins an international prize, my heart fills with pride and my natural desire is to strengthen and encourage Israeli success. This rule has one exception – the international embrace of self-flagellation and cooperation with the anti-Israeli narrative. The award received by Foxtrot in Venice… belongs to the exception,” he wrote on Facebook, later adding that he believed “Foxtrot” would give “a tailwind to BDS (the anti-occupation boycott group) and haters of Israel all around the world.”

Despite his feelings, Israel selected their film as their Oscar contender this year, and it has resonated, making the shortlist for the final five that will be announced in a few short weeks. Now, Sony Pictures Classics is giving the picture another pre-Oscar boost as they get the marketing campaign rolling for the film with a new trailer. Here’s the official synopsis:

Michael and Dafna experience gut-wrenching grief when army officials show up at their home to announce the death of their son Jonathan. Michael becomes increasingly frustrated by overzealous mourning relatives and well-meaning army bureaucrats. While his sedated wife rests, Michael spirals into a whirlwind of anger only to experience one of life’s unfathomable twists – a twist that can only be rivaled by the surreal military experiences of his son.

“Foxtrot” opens in New York and Los Angeles on March 2, 2018.