That’s Mine by Amit Hay ben Shlomo; Hebrew language, English subtitles, 34 minutes, to be presented during the GI Film Festival at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, September 26, at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. Click here for GI Film Festival’s full schedule.
SAN DIEGO – Suppose you were a military careerist, one who has risen to the rank of colonel with responsibility as a brigade commander. Suppose also that you were coming up for a promotion that would put an entire armored division under your command.
In the case of Roni (Shimon Mimram), the promotion is conditioned upon him extending the period of his military service – ordinarily a requirement that would cause him no qualms. But over the last two years, Roni has been replaying in his head a conversation he had with his son Roy. (Or Ben-Melech)
Unlike his father, Roy wanted to complete his military training and then go onto another career. Roni dismissed such talk from his son. After all, Roni’s father was a career military officer, so was he, and of course Roy should be too. End of discussion.
And then Roy and two other Israeli soldiers were killed when terrorists snuck over the border from Gaza and attacked their military base.
Ever since, Roni has not been able to stop blaming himself. Had he listened to his son’s desires, perhaps the young man would still be alive today.
Roni’s constant self-accusation is causing his marriage to Ofri (Orna Pitussi), a kind-hearted school teacher, to fray. Obsessed with Roy’s death, Roni can take no joy in his life – nor allow others to experience joy. His feelings of guilt also are distracting him from his military duties.
So, now, he is to meet with the general who is his commanding officer, the man who will offer him the promotion and distinguished command.
What will Roni do?
That’s Mine, named for a moment when Roni claims his dead son’s hat, is one of 34 films that will be shown during the 5th annual GI film festival in San Diego that will begin Tuesday, Sept. 24 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 29.
Although mostly American in origin, there are films in the line-up featuring military units of various U.S. allies. The subject of one film dates back to the U.S. Civil War, while other films deal with World War II, the Vietnam War, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The movies cover a wide range of subjects including PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and the treatment in the military of the LGBTQ community.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com