Kippur

Independent Films, Film Profiles

Kippur (כיפור) is a 2000 Israeli film directed by Amos Gitai and starring Liron Levo, Tomer Russo, and Uri Klauzner.The film takes place in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. It is largely autobiographical, based on Gitai's own experiences as a member of a helicopter rescue crew during the war. The film was shot with the assistance of the Israeli Defense Forces which provided much of the military equipment used in the film. Most of the characters are named after the actors who play them, with the exception of the title character, who is given only the last name Weinraub, which was Amos Gitai's family name until his father changed it to the Hebrew name Gitai.The helicopter crash that ends the film actually happened. Gitai's helicopter was shot down by a Syrian missile on his birthday. The co-pilot was killed and several others wounded. Gitai reportedly considers it the pivotal moment of his life.