17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Iran-Israel conflict swells again: 4 films to watch that decode the rivalry
Israel escalated its military campaign this weekend by targeting dozens of Iranian air‑defense batteries, vowing to strike 'every corner' of Tehran's military infrastructure. Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned that continued 'aggression will be met with a more severe and powerful response,' while each side reported casualties amid renewed fears of a wider Middle East war.
A Proxy War Renewed
The latest exchanges come against a backdrop of decades‑long proxy confrontations. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has backed groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, while Israel has responded with covert strikes, support for anti‑Iranian factions, and the targeted killing of nuclear scientists. Diplomatic efforts on Iran's nuclear program have stalled, leaving force once again at the forefront of this bitter rivalry.
Films to Watch for Deeper Insight
To understand the human and strategic complexities of the Iran–Israel conflict, these four films offer valuable perspectives:
Atomic Falafel (2015)
Set in an Israeli town hosting a secret nuclear program, this thriller‑comedy follows teenage falafel vendor Nofar Azrian as she uncovers and leaks sensitive military secrets. The film underscores how nuclear anxieties permeate everyday life on both sides of the border.
— edrormba (@edrormba)
Rita Jahan Foruz (2013)
This documentary profiles Rita, an Iranian‑born singer who emigrated to Israel, as she returns to record her first Farsi album. Her journey highlights the cultural bridges—and political tensions—between two nations often portrayed as irreconcilable enemies.
One Wish for Iran, Love Israel (2013)
Launched alongside Iran's 2013 presidential inauguration, this grassroots film collects messages of peace from Israeli Jews, Palestinians, and Arab citizens, then extends them to Iranian citizens. It serves as a reminder that ordinary people on both sides share a desire for dialogue and understanding.
The Impossible Spy (1990)
Based on the true story of Israeli Mossad agent Eli Cohen, this film (and its later Netflix adaptation,
The Spy
) dramatizes how a civilian infiltrated Syria's highest circles, providing intelligence that proved decisive in the Six‑Day War. It illustrates the clandestine stakes that have long defined Iran–Israel tensions through their regional alliances.
— KevorkAlmassian (@KevorkAlmassian)
As Israel and Iran brace for further action, these films offer viewers a more nuanced grasp of the historical, cultural, and personal dimensions that drive one of the Middle East's most enduring and dangerous conflicts. While warplanes and missiles dominate the news, these films underscore that the Iran–Israel conflict is as much about human stories as it is about geopolitics.
