Zion, aged 14 and his brother Meir, 17, are facing a crisis in their relationship after a terrible train accident. A neighbour of theirs, an Ethiopian immigrant, has been killed in the accident and they are in some way responsible. They keep the secret to themselves and it haunts them until, finally, Zion re-examines his loyalty towards his older brother and decides that he is ready to take responsibility for his own life.

directed by Eran Merav

Original title : ZION AND HIS BROTHER
Directed by : Eran Merav
Cast : Liya Leyn, Tzahi Grad, Ronit Elkabetz, Ofer Hayun, Reuven Badalov
Genre : Drama
Country of production : Israel
Year of production : 2008
Running time : 90

Director's Note
"I see it as a simple film, a film that can be understood anywhere.
It has no specific place or language. It could take place in any country of the world. Nevertheless, it draws its relevance from its local Israeli colour. It is a strong, straightforward and cruel story, told with compassion, with love and with humour.
I looked for a story that could take place in the social climate that is my world - an alienated, immigrant society, of despair and economic frailty, where life is cheap on the background of an unending war of attrition, where the character of the country
changes every few decades.
I set out to look for a story that stems from this economic hardship,
in this case - a kid looking for a pair of shoes. It seems to me that the subject triggered the style. I find a small, realistic and brutal story in which there is nothing ‘larger than life' in it. I envision a style that places the human being at the centre, with respect for his person, his smallness, his authentic vulnerability,
his awareness of his limits."

Producers: Norma Productions (Israel), MK2 (France)
World sales: MK2 (France)

Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in June 2005 (Berlin, Germany)
Funding amount: 40.000 €

Rights sold to
France