Off White Lies

Off White Lies is an emotionally gripping Israeli drama that was released in 2011. It was directed and written by Maya Kenig, and the film stars Gur Bentwich, Elya Inbar, and Tzahi Grad. The film runs for approximately 86 minutes, in Hebrew with English subtitles, and was produced by Pie Films and 2-Team Productions. It beautifully showcases a father-daughter relationship and its complexities while also portraying the socioeconomic circumstances during the second Lebanon War.

Off White Lies focuses on Libby, an intelligent yet contemplative teenager, portrayed by Elya Inbar. After years of living with her mother in the United States, she decides to move to Israel to spend time with her eccentric and relatively unknown father, Shaul (Gur Bentwich). Gur is an accomplished character actor who does justice to the role of Shaul, a failed inventor. He is a kind-hearted but naive person who always lives by his own rules and imaginative ideas, despite their usual outcome – failure.

Upon her arrival, Libby instantly notices that her father is not financially well off. Shaul is struggling to make ends meet and is seen living in different temporary shelters. To face the financial challenges, Shaul devises a plan — a little while lie — convincing people that they are refugees from the North (which is going through a war crisis at the time) and trying to gain sympathy and free lodging from people in Jerusalem. It's a lie, but it's their best chance not to fall through their city's social safety net. And that's where the major portion of the story unfolds - around their adventure and survival stemming from their 'off white lies.'

While it is an independent film, Off White Lies forms a subplot about homelessness, economic struggle, and social inequality. It also depicts how the father-daughter duo go through numerous ups and downs, strengthening their bond along the way. Libby and Shaul's journey, captured in Jerusalem's cityscape, draws an emotionally effective character study required to know these complex characters deeply.

Elya Inbar's portrayal of Libby, a teenager with maturity beyond her age, is commendable. She displays a broad range of emotions with remarkable subtlety, and audiences can see her character evolve over time due to her unusual and challenging circumstances. Her struggle with accepting her father as he is, and navigating a new foregin city, forms the core of the narrative.

Gur Bentwich takes on the character of Shaul effortlessly. As a father, who always dreams but never manages to actualize them, he invokes both empathy and frustration. His performance is exceptional as it highlights the arduous journey of a down-on-luck inventor who tries to win the trust and love of his distant daughter while also maintaining his creative spirit in an unforgiving city.

Moreover, the film captures the quiet moments between the father and daughter as they get to know each other, and the visually serene and culturally rich streets of Jerusalem. Their lie becomes their survival tool and, in the process, gets them embroiled into various situations and people. This gives the viewer a chance to see a different side of Israel, far removed from its usual war-torn image.

Supported by a competent cast, including Tzahi Grad and other theatre-trained actors, the film gets its strength from the central performances of Bentwich and Inbar. The movie is layered with multiple narratives that build into an emotional crescendo without resorting to melodrama. Maya Kenig demonstrates not only her directorial ability but also a keen eye for understanding the human psyche and their interactions with their challenging environments in telling the story.

Off White Lies confirms the global rule of cinema – a compelling story and an earnest depiction of human lives can be valuable regardless of high-end production values. With its finely etched characters, authentic setting, and a heart-warming story about a father and daughter relationship, it's a film that will stay in viewers' minds long after the credits roll. The movie does a commendable job in linking the personal dilemmas of the protagonists with the larger socioeconomic conditions prevailing around them.

In conclusion, Off White Lies is an intimate, deeply emotional film that is as much a story about a father-daughter bond as it is an existential exploration of survival, identity, and belonging. With its subtle humor, thought-provoking themes, and brilliantly nuanced performances, it is an absolute gem in the world of Israeli cinema.