Knafayim Shvurot (Broken Wings) (2003)

93% of critics liked it
(67 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(2,385 ratings)

Nir Bergman's debut feature, K'Nafayim Shvurot (Broken Wings), chronicles the problems of an Israeli family attempting to come to terms with the death of the husband and father. Nine months after her father's untimely passing, 17-year-old Maya (Maya Maron) spends much of her time helping to raise… More Nir Bergman's debut feature, K'Nafayim Shvurot (Broken Wings), chronicles the problems of an Israeli family attempting to come to terms with the death of the husband and father. Nine months after her father's untimely passing, 17-year-old Maya (Maya Maron) spends much of her time helping to raise her younger brother and sister, as mother Dafna (Orli Zilberschatz-Banai) has to work as much as possible at the hospital. While each character struggles with his or her fears and dreams, the family's emotional and financial situation grows dire. Broken Wings was screened at both the Berlin Film Festival and the Palm Springs Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Nir Bergman
Written By: Nir Bergman
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 24, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Jul 20, 2004
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
This is a story that would be compelling, no matter what the locale.
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
[Bergman] draws fine performances from the actors.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
Broken Wings has heart and a poetic soul.
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post
Well-made, if rather predictable, new-age melodrama.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Writer-director Bergman's debut doesn't have stylistic pizazz, and some of its scenes sag a little under the weight of mournful music. But the story is told with stirring simplicity that builds momentum.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
The performances are uniformly strong.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...reminiscent, in its gritty and sometimes unrelievedly grim aspect, of some of British director Mike Leigh's social naturalism
Blake DePastino, Baltimore City Paper
The film is guilelessly shot, the dialogue phonographically candid.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
It's the best family portrait since Yi Yi.
Glenn Kenny, Premiere Magazine
Bergman wants the viewer to empathize more with the characters' perseverance than their pain, and he pulls it off, thanks to his sharp eye, compassion, and humor, and of course to the performances -- particularly that of the luminous Maron.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
A quietly moving study of a family in crisis.
Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
A movie that benefits from quiet reflection and attentive viewing. Anything less would be a disservice to the filmmakers and oneself.
Jules Brenner, Filmcritic.com
a universal metaphor for all families traumatized by catastrophic loss
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
If the WB television network made movies in Israel, Broken Wings is what we'd get.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
intelligent script and economical direction make this a rare non-political Israeli work that everyone can relate to
Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas CityLife
Bergman inhabits an empathy zone rich with potential for examining the human condition in a unique way...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A compelling family drama.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
Bergman doesn't allow hokey weeping or melodrama into his picture; instead, he sets events in motion and lets the characters react the way real people would.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Every soul in this film about family struggles with some darkness but it takes awhile before we find out what it is, and it takes awhile for them to eventually agree to come together in spite of the darkness, because of the darkness. Filmed in Haifa, it is a universal slice of pie in… More
Every soul in this film about family struggles with some darkness but it takes awhile before we find out what it is, and it takes awhile for them to eventually agree to come together in spite of the darkness, because of the darkness. Filmed in Haifa, it is a universal slice of pie in a unique setting that sprinkles a little hope on tragedy.
George K

A wonderful film! A powerful story about a family trying to get by after the death of their father/husband. Maya Maron gives a fantastic performance as Maya Ulman, a gifted musician who is torn between her dreams and her loyalty to her family. But the popcorn bag award goes to Orli… More
A wonderful film! A powerful story about a family trying to get by after the death of their father/husband. Maya Maron gives a fantastic performance as Maya Ulman, a gifted musician who is torn between her dreams and her loyalty to her family. But the popcorn bag award goes to Orli Ziberschatz-Banai. You forget that she's acting and that this is a movie. Ziberschatz-Banai is fabulous...displaying all the emotions of a single mom under pressure and stress to make it all work.
Daisy M

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.tinypic.com/ixguwl.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> Broken Wings was a movie that was based on daily life problems.. The… More
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.tinypic.com/ixguwl.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> Broken Wings was a movie that was based on daily life problems.. The characters were so real. The script included teenagers insults that sounds so true and images that stays in your mind, as you see this family in its struggle to get their life back. I liked the performances of all characters, Israelian director Nir Bergman did an amazing job. The music in the movie was great. All in all, a good movie. A must to see.