A Gaza Weekend

Khalil’s knockout feature debut is a hugely entertaining mix of caper comedy hijinks and sharp political satire. A virus has plunged Israel into lockdown, leaving British journalist Michael and his stressed-out Israeli girlfriend Keren stranded. The desperate couple hire inept Palestinian hustlers Waleed and Emad to smuggle them to Europe via the Gaza Strip, which ironically has been made safe from the virus by the separation wall. Naturally everything goes spectacularly wrong before the bickering bunch realise everyone’s survival depends on putting differences aside and devising a new plan that’s so crazy it might just work. This heartfelt satire is loaded with zingy dialogue and sparkling performances.