Watch The Farewell Party

The Farewell Party is a poignant Israeli tragicomedy from 2014 that explores the limits of friendship, compassion, and the right to die with dignity. Directed by Tal Granit and Sharon Maymon, the film features a stellar cast of veteran actors such as Ze'ev Revach, Levana Finkelstein, and Aliza Rosen that deliver heartwarming performances full of humor, warmth and pathos.

The film takes place in an old-age home in Jerusalem, where a group of elderly residents are faced with the painful reality of their declining health, isolation, and suffering. Yehezkel (Ze'ev Revach) is a retired mechanical engineer who spends his days tinkering with gadgets, playing chess with his friends, and taking care of his ailing wife, Levana (Levana Finkelstein), who suffers from a terminal illness. When Levana begs Yehezkel to help her end her life, he is torn between his love for her and his fear of breaking the law and losing his friends. However, when a friend of theirs, Yana (Aliza Rosen), also asks for assistance in dying, Yehezkel and his friends decide to create a "death machine," a special device that allows terminally ill patients to end their lives painlessly and peacefully.

As the group embarks on this risky and clandestine mission, they face a series of moral dilemmas, legal challenges, and unexpected consequences. They have to deal with their families, the authorities, and their own fears and doubts. Some of them, like Yehezkel and Levana, are determined to die on their own terms and to spare themselves and their loved ones from unnecessary pain and suffering. Others, like Yana's husband, are shaken by the idea of assisted suicide and prefer to hold on to hope and faith. The film raises complex and controversial questions about the ethics, politics, and emotions surrounding the end of life, but it does so with humor, humanity, and sensitivity.

One of the strongest aspects of The Farewell Party is its superb ensemble cast, led by Ze'ev Revach, who gives a nuanced and moving performance as a man torn between love and duty. Levana Finkelstein is also remarkable as his wife, whose fragility, wit, and spirit shine despite her illness. Aliza Rosen brings a touch of rebellion and independence to the character of Yana, a former actress who refuses to let her illness define her. The rest of the cast, including Rafi Tabor as the grumpy but lovable Rafi, Ilan Dar as the shady veterinarian Dr. Daniel, and Shmuel Wolf as the Orthodox rabbi who grapples with the religious implications of assisted suicide, are all outstanding in their respective roles.

The film also benefits from its visual style, which blends realism and surrealism in a way that enhances the emotional impact of the story. The old-age home where the action takes place is presented as a liminal space, both familiar and strange, where time stands still and memories mix with dreams. The use of dark humor, irony, and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the film, and allows the directors to tackle difficult issues with a light touch. For example, the scene where the seniors test their death machine on a poor chicken is both hilarious and disturbing, highlighting the contradictions and absurdities of human nature.

Overall, The Farewell Party is a moving and thought-provoking film that defies easy categorization. It is a comedy that deals with death, a drama that celebrates life, and a love story that questions the limits of devotion. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and think, and that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Whether you agree or disagree with its themes and messages, you cannot help but be touched by the humanity and compassion of its characters, and by the universal longing for dignity, companionship, and freedom.

The Farewell Party is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 71.