Cup Final (Gmar Gavi’a) (1991) is a powerful, genre-bending war drama from early in Eran Riklis’s celebrated career, blending suspense, character study and humanity in an unforgettable story set during Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon.
The film follows Cohen, a young Israeli soldier taken hostage by a small group of Palestinian fighters as the conflict unfolds.
Amid the rubble and tension of war, an extraordinary and surprising connection emerges: both Cohen and his captors share an ardent love for football — especially their support for the Italian team in the 1982 FIFA World Cup — and this common passion gradually breaks down the barriers of nationalism and enmity.
Featuring a standout performance by Muhammad Bakri as the Palestinian commander Ziad, this heartfelt tribute celebrates Bakri’s legacy and Riklis’s gift for portraying the fragile, often ironic humanity that can arise even in the most brutal of conflicts.
Directed by Eran Riklis
