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Laila's Birthday

Presented by Austin Film Society at Alamo Drafthouse - South Lamar

January 26, 2010

Avg. Event Rating (4.3 Stars):
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A Palestinian taxi driver (and former judge) in Ramallah wants to make his daughter’s 7th birthday a very special one, but first he must spend his day making money picking up passengers. But he has rules which limit the number of clients: no weapons or cigarettes, no trips to Israeli checkpoints, and mandatory use of seatbelt. Each person who gets in and out of his cab reveals a bit of their lives: young lovers simply wanting a place to be together, a man recently freed from prison, a woman unable to decide whether to go to a hospital or cemetery first, and a man who leaves his cell phone in the cab and creates chaos for the cab driver. In the course of the day we see a Palestinian city often in the news but never observed in such objective, but loving detail.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    Alamo Drafthouse - South Lamar

    1120 South Lamar
    Austin, TX 78704

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets: FREE for AFS Members. Others $6.

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    January 26, 2010

    Times:
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Laila's Birthday
      "A Day in Palestine"
      Review posted by: Kathy Judge from Austin, TX USA, Jan 27, 2010
      

      This snapshot of a Palestinian taxi driver and his quest for a birthday cake & gift for his daughter revealed much about daily life there. The script did not shrink from the tragedy that occurs in the... Expand

      This snapshot of a Palestinian taxi driver and his quest for a birthday cake & gift for his daughter revealed much about daily life there. The script did not shrink from the tragedy that occurs in the region, but treated the viewer to wit, irony, and intelligence in presenting the characters and situations. The bland buildings and piles of rubble next to bulldozers accented the reality of living under occupation. Mohammad Bakri as the taxi driver performed with depth and sensitivity. His frustration is evident throughout the film. Perhaps the only weaknesses were in the stereotypical nature of some of the characters and the predictibility of the ending. All in all, this film will definitely give you a lot to ponder. Collapse

    • Event Name: Laila's Birthday
      "A Day in the Life in Ramallah"
      Review posted by: Vicki McKain from Austin, TX, Jan 26, 2010
      

      There are many dark comedic moments in this drama, which portrays complications and frustrations through the events of one day in a life in this occupied city in the West Bank. The main character is... Expand

      There are many dark comedic moments in this drama, which portrays complications and frustrations through the events of one day in a life in this occupied city in the West Bank. The main character is a proud, rule enforcing ex-judge who must drive a cab to earn money. For the most part he is quiet and composed while encountering annoying bureaucracy and disorder around him. Snapshots of life (some absurd) are presented through the many people who enter his cab. The film shows areas of beauty in the city and sparse areas where buildings/homes had been--seeming to mirror the lives of people. Most people are attempting to lead their lives with dignity and determination. Though there is much chaos, there is joy. Collapse

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Laila's Birthday
      "A Day in Palestine"
      Review posted by: Kathy Judge from Austin, TX USA, Jan 27, 2010
      

      This snapshot of a Palestinian taxi driver and his quest for a birthday cake & gift for his daughter revealed much about daily life there. The script did not shrink from the tragedy that occurs in the... Expand

      This snapshot of a Palestinian taxi driver and his quest for a birthday cake & gift for his daughter revealed much about daily life there. The script did not shrink from the tragedy that occurs in the region, but treated the viewer to wit, irony, and intelligence in presenting the characters and situations. The bland buildings and piles of rubble next to bulldozers accented the reality of living under occupation. Mohammad Bakri as the taxi driver performed with depth and sensitivity. His frustration is evident throughout the film. Perhaps the only weaknesses were in the stereotypical nature of some of the characters and the predictibility of the ending. All in all, this film will definitely give you a lot to ponder. Collapse

    • Event Name: Laila's Birthday
      "A Day in the Life in Ramallah"
      Review posted by: Vicki McKain from Austin, TX, Jan 26, 2010
      

      There are many dark comedic moments in this drama, which portrays complications and frustrations through the events of one day in a life in this occupied city in the West Bank. The main character is... Expand

      There are many dark comedic moments in this drama, which portrays complications and frustrations through the events of one day in a life in this occupied city in the West Bank. The main character is a proud, rule enforcing ex-judge who must drive a cab to earn money. For the most part he is quiet and composed while encountering annoying bureaucracy and disorder around him. Snapshots of life (some absurd) are presented through the many people who enter his cab. The film shows areas of beauty in the city and sparse areas where buildings/homes had been--seeming to mirror the lives of people. Most people are attempting to lead their lives with dignity and determination. Though there is much chaos, there is joy. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.