7 Days in Entebbe

The Gaza conflict remains one the most heated, divisive issues in global politics to this day. This debate has manifested itself in the arts extensively with myriad works supporting arguments on either side. To find an objective middle ground is seemingly impossible but 7 days in Entebbe walks that razors edge with style and grace.

The story takes place in 1976, when Palestinian freedom fighters (or terrorists – aready we land in uncertain territory) team up with two German anti-capitalist revolutionaries, Brigitte (Rosamund Pike) and Wilfred (Daniel Brühl), to hijack an Air France plane with Israeli passengers and hold them ransom in Uganda, under the dubious supervision of Idi Amin, for a week before the Israeli military intervene.

Based on a true story, 7 days in Entebbe impressively balances multiple points of views by focusing on the radicals on the plane and the response by the Israeli Cabinet while including experiences of a variety of the hostages caught in between. The German radicals are haunted by flashbacks of their time organising the operation as they question whether or not they actually believe in the cause enough to pull it off. They also dwell on the moral conundrum they have put themselves in as two Germans with the lives of innocent Jewish people in their hands.

The Israeli Cabinet is faced with an enormous moral dilemma of their own: negotiate with the radicals and free political prisoners or call the hijackers’ bluff and risk the lives of the hostages. The Prime Minister, Rabin (Lior Ashkenazi), and the Minister of Defence, Peres (Eddie Marsan), wrestle for power as neither one wants to be the scapegoat for the worst case scenario.

Director José Padilha expertly shifts from character to character to push the dynamic story forward while keeping the audience riveted. Much like Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon, the stakes (and mistakes) increase the longer the hostages and hijakers are left without an outcome and the pressure reaches critical mass. Visually, the film alternates between impressive set pieces inspired by Sicario and intense close ups to focus on the characters as they struggle to determine their next move. 7 Days in Entebbe is a concise and intelligent thriller that boldly dives into a decisive moment of the Gaza conflict and resurfaces with a thought-provoking window into understanding the current situation. 

Sean Gallen

7 Days in Entebbe is released nationwide on 6^th April 2018.

Read more reviews and interviews from our Berlin Film Festival 2018 coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the Berlin Film Festival 2018.

Watch the trailer for 7 Days in Entebbe here: