The Band's Visit (ביקור התזמורת)

A film by Eran Kolirin

Once, not long ago, a small Egyptian police band arrived in Israel.

Not many remember this, it was not that important.

It's not them...

There's a bus, we have the address, I can't see the problem.

And manage on our own? - Yes.

Why not call the Embassy? Let them take care of it.

This band has managed on its own for 25 years now,

I have no intention of changing that.

Especially not now... under the present circumstances.

Picture please, may I take a picture?

We're taking a photo.

THE BAND'S VISIT

Municipality, good morning.

Good morning.

This is Tawfiq Zakarya, commander of the Alexandria Ceremonial Orchestra.

What?

It is Tawfiq Zakarya, from the Alexandria Ceremonial...

Who do you need?

As I said,

it is Tawfiq Zakarya

from the Alexandria Ceremonial Orchestra, we have...

Municipality, good morning.

This is Colonel Tawfiq Zakarya from the...

Do you see it?

Get Khaled, tell him to ask at the information desk.

Do you mind asking which bus goes to Bet...

Bet Hatikva.

You'd better send someone else. My English isn't that good.

Do you want to be part of the police force?

Then learn to take responsibility. Go and find out how we get there.

Just watch out, OK?

Of what?

I don't know, just keep your eyes open.

Bet Hatikva?

Yes, Bet Hatikva.

You have eyes...

Very beautiful eyes.

Do you like Chet Baker?

What?

Chet Baker.

I play violin... in an orchestra.

But I play trumpet...

also.

About the new piece that we will play tomorrow,

do you want me to conduct?

If you do, I'll need to work on the orchestration.

We're in enough trouble as it is, Simon.

Some other time.

Of course.

But...

If their plan at headquarters is approved,

there might not be another time.

Their plan will not be approved.

That's why we're here,

isn't that so?

We had three concerts in April,

two in June.

No one should speak to us about efficiency and worth.

The Alexandria Police Ceremonial Orchestra manages just fine, period.

Line them up.

Good afternoon.

Dina, come here.

Some General wants to talk to you.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon to you, too.

I wonder if you could be so kind to direct me to the Arab Culture Center?

Excuse me?

We've been invited by the local cultural department to play

at the initiation ceremony of the Arab Culture Center.

What?

Where are you from?

We are from Egypt.

Egypt?

We are the Alexandria Ceremonial Orchestra...

There is no Arab Center here.

No Arab Culture Center?

No culture. Not Israeli culture, not Arab, no culture at all.

Bloody nowhere.

Who invited you?

The Betah Tikva Cultural Department.

Petah Tikva? - Betah Tikva.

I think he needs Petah Tikva. - Do you need Petah Tikva?

Betah Tikva. - Not Betah... Petah!

As soon as we get back, you are to report to the disciplinary commission!

I'll make sure you will not stay with us one more day!

Is that clear?

Clear?

General, you need help, General?

Assholes!

Aren't we eating today?

Excuse me?

I asked if we're going to eat.

I did not join the police to starve to death.

And anyhow, I'm not really sure that you know where we're going.

Pardon me?

Does anyone else feel like Khaled?

We haven't eaten since this morning, sir.

All of us.

Just a second...

Khaled, would you mind...

They haven't eaten since this morning,

this might affect their playing.

Perhaps we could organize something with those people back there.

After that, things will fall into place.

Hello again, General.

Madame, I would like...

on behalf of the Alexandria Ceremonial Orchestra,

we shall be grateful if you could be so kind to help us,

in light of the circumstances.

How can I help you?

Would it be possible to dine here?

It's a restaurant here, no?

Yes, but...

we have little Israeli money left. We don't need something special,

just some bread, something light.

Could we pay with Egyptian money?

Don't take this disciplinary thing to heart.

It's all bullshit.

Say you're sorry and you'll get off with a warning.

He can fire me for all I care.

Did I spend five years at the academy for this?

Playing marches in the desert?

How can you stand him?

Ask Simon what it's like to be with him for 20 years.

Simon, are you conducting tomorrow or not?

Why did you stop?

I didn't finish it.

You wrote this?

Yes.

It's an overture for a concerto

but I didn't finish it.

Backgammon?

What do you say about that?

We shall be going soon. You have been very kind to us.

You're welcome.

You decided what to do?

We shall manage.

There is no more bus today.

No more bus?

No. Finished.

Hotel?

Hotel? Here?

Of course.

When is your show?

It is tomorrow evening.

Say, ltzik...

Can you take three of them?

What?

Musicians. They have nowhere to sleep.

Take them where?

What's the big deal? Two in the living room, one with the kid,

I'll take three, four here, how many are they anyway?

I don't know.

We'll manage something. I mean, they're stuck.

Give me a break, it's Iris' birthday.

Even better.

You know what, General?

You can stay here with us tonight, if you want to.

What do you mean, here?

Here, with us. You can sleep here tonight.

I can take some,

Papi can make room here,

I have some room in the restaurant and I talked to ltzik.

It's OK, we can work something out.

Tomorrow morning you take the bus.

No, no, thank you. You've done too much already.

We shall call our Embassy, they will take care of things.

OK.

But just I want you to know that if you want, we here in Beit Hatikva,

we shall be very honored to have the Alexandria Police Orchestra with us.

Really.

Will your husband agree to that?

Once when I see him I ask him.

You're not married.

Me?

No.

By the way, I'm Dina.

Tawfiq.

What do you say?

Please.

Please.

We'll spend the night here.

No shit.

Khaled!

I hope there's no need to remind you of the delicate situation we're in,

nor of the effect this whole story will have

on our struggle over next year's budget.

Please bear in mind: We're here representing Egypt,

and I expect you all to conduct yourselves with dignity.

We need to carry out this mission together,

and prove to whoever needs proof what we are made of.

Let's all protect the good name of the Alexandria Police Orchestra!

Good luck to you all.

Khaled stays with me.

We'll spend the night here, in the restaurant.

So, you come?

How are you, Mrs. Maimon?

I'm not...

I don't open it too much. Not many guests.