What makes it different from others?

Really Surprised!

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

In the South of Palestine, the idealistic Professor Mohammad (Mohammed Bakri) is a family man that lives with his wife and five children a simple life in an isolated house. His wife Samia (Areen Omari) wants to leave Palestine but her husband refuses to emigrate to another country and become a refugee. One night, Israeli soldiers commanded by the paranoid Commander Ofer (Lior Miller) break in their house and the peaceful Mohammad needs to control his family that wants to react against the Israeli aggression. "Private" is a heartbreaking and dramatic story about a Palestinian that has their home, that is supposed to be the safest and the most sacred place of a family, invaded by Israeli soldiers that threaten and humiliate them. The direction and performances are top-notch and the film gives the sensation of documentary. The abusive relationship of the Israeli soldiers with the Palestinian family is very similar to the Nazis and Jews in World War II, Serbs and Croats in the Yugoslav Wars or American and Iraqis in the recent invasion and happens since the very beginning of mankind history between who is in control and who is controlled by the Power that Be. Sad, but it is the reality. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): "Violação de Domicílio" ("Home Violation")

I absolutely loved this movie, which I first caught on the Sundance Channel in the U.S. I've watched it so many times I finally ordered the DVD. This film is a richly textured film, with wonderful acting, strong characterizations, and fine dialog. I'm self-described "pro-Israel" and I did not find this movie biased. It has a point of view as it's the story of a Palestinian family whose home is "occupied" by a group of Israeli soldiers. Everythinig is seen and interpreted from this family's point of view, not the soldiers', with the important exception of the scenes where the daughter hides in the armoire to spy on the soldiers and only we, as the audience, are able to understand the dialog because of the sub-titles (as the daughter cannot understand Hebrew).I love the subtle acting by the actors, such as the roll of the eyes of the neighbor after she's been "interrogated" and leaves the house, or the reaction of the commander as he rounds the corner of the stairs thinking he's going to be interrogating some high value target only to be confronted instead with a middle-aged frumpy house frau (the neighbor). The expression on his face, from intensity to bemusement as his underling questions this hapless woman is priceless. And the actor playing the father is fabulous as he's able to subtly convey both a commanding presence and someone who's been humiliated in front of his family and in unsure how to recover his authority. This isn't a perfect film. Considering the importance his character could potentially have, the one son who finds a left-behind grenade and plants a booby trap for the soldiers is underdeveloped. Is he such a narcissist that he can't even realize the terrible impact his potentially deadly actions would have on himself, his family, and the soldiers? Since he barely says anything, we just don't really understand what's motivating him. And what more can be said about the truly awful ending song that is so heavy-handed as to be disruptive to the viewer. But, overall, a wonderful film that gets better with each viewing.

That a film which depicts the reality of so many actually was shown in the US is a huge shift. With a growing desire for many Americans to finally learn about the 40 year illegal occupation of Palestine and the ensuing suffering...this mild film gives a 'peek' of that reality. That ordinary families endure this and worse is not the point, but that so many still fail to comprehend is. I only wish the film got wider distribution and longer theater play time. The viewer experiences increasing tension and angst as there is no sense as to what the next crisis may be or who will be effected. Only the sense of futility and isolation remains. Those with the power continue to arbitrarily allow or end life on the spot whilst those without power can only continue to use reason and intellect to survive. How a people can continue to exist and even succeed academically or emotionally is a testament to the human spirit. This family integrates their parental respect and internal values as too few in the west even comprehend. An excellent cast and exceptional storyline which is rarely if ever seen in the States. Well done!..WELL DONE!

A group of Israelite soldiers occupy the house of a Palestinian family and force them to live locked in one of the rooms while they come and go inside the house. Well, thank goodness someone shows the Palestinian drama (for a change). There are plenty of movies about the Holocaust, there are lots of directors such as Amos Gitai, but only a few of them are telling the truth: and the truth is that Israelites is as terrorist as the Palestinians can be. Israelites use planes and tanks, and the Palestinian use suicide squads. Them both achieve the same: the killing of hundreds of civilians, but the question is: who shot first?? Who occupied Palestina?? "Private" is nothing like a great movie, but it is a great document which explains the complicate situation of that area. Those who don't really care about Israelite/Palestinian conflict won't find much incentive in watching this one.*My rate: 6/10