Out of nowhere I've developed a love for Israeli dramas. I've always enjoyed international films and Israeli dramas aren't really too different from what we have in the West, but being able to witness and see another persons culture and listening to their language makes for a great experience. And cultural experience is what this mini-series gives you. From Lenbonan, to Israel, to Columbia, When Heroes Fly --based on the book by Bishvila Giborim Afim-- is a thought-provoking thriller that explores the damaging effects of PTSD, broken friendships, lost love, shaken faith, long buried memories and hopeful endings.
In the 2006 Lebonan war, four IDF (Israeli Defense Force) soldiers are as close as friends and military brothers can be. Lively Aviv Danino who is desperate to get back home to his girlfriend, Yael ; Dov 'Dubi' Ashkenazi, Yaeli's older brother, a skilled paramedic who abides by his family's strict orthodox faith; Yakir 'Benda' Ben-David, the wild child of the group and Dotan 'Himmler' Friedman who comes from one of the wealthiest families in Israel and is always given grief for his Aryan features.
During a bombing raid, their beloved and respected unit leader, Azoulay who is badly injured with no hope of survival, asks Aviv to leave him and get the men out. At first Aviv refuses, but Azoulay will have it no other way. So Aviv and the men leave their leader to save their lives. When they return to Israel, all four are brought into questioning especially Aviv regarding his actions of leaving Azoulay. Aviv defends himself over and over again, however, not everyone is convinced.
As Aviv settles back into civilian life, he tries to ignore his PTSD by throwing himself into his relationship with his girlfriend and advancing his business. However, he comes to a breaking point and is forever haunted by Azoulay's death. Yaeli is desperate to help, but Aviv can no longer take it and finally pushes her away all together. Heartbroken for her boyfriend, Yaeli goes to South America to get away from her struggles. However, a terrible accident leaves her for dead or at least that was what everyone was made to believe.
11 years later, Yaeli shows up in a Columbian newspaper and the former friends reunite to find her. Their trek through Columbia, dealing with the heinous drug cartels, a cult people that hide in the deep forests and a political scandal between Israel and Columbia becomes the unexpected drive for all four men to bury their past grievances and become soldiers again. For Yaeli and for each other.
This mini-series was excellent! It really jumps into action from the moment the first episode begins. Tomer Capon who plays Aviv is not only unimaginably gorgeous, but really got into the psyche of a soldier dealing with PTSD. The other characters in the story we equally well written and acted. I didn't like Dubi at first because he came off as cold and distant, but when the show ends your perspective of him changes greatly. Yaeli was a lovely and strong heroine, in spite of some detrimental decisions she made prior to leaving for South America.
As for the ending...I wouldn't call it happy, but it more or less falls into my hopeful endings category. It's moving, it's bittersweet and yet it leaves the door open for any interpretation.
Hmm, this sounds interesting, where is it available for streaming? Is there a violence rating?
ReplyDeleteIt’s a Netflix original and the violence isn’t terrible, but it depends on what you consider to be to violent. These guys are all former soldiers in Columbia so violence is inevitable in the story. There’s no blood or gore or people getting hacked up if that’s what you might be concerned about.
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