Coming of Age. Again

A brief review of this Mountain Shadow’s film selection for May, 2021, “HERE WE ARE”
A Film by Nir Bergman

Review by John Bennison, Mountain Shadow Director

Coming-of-age movies are so prevalent, one could easily consider them a stand-alone genre in filmmaking. Their subject matter typically deals with the awkward transition from childhood to young adulthood; appealing to large swaths of audiences in that particular age category. If there’s an antagonist character in the tale, it’s usually either found in a love triangle, or a domineering, clinging parent who just doesn’t “get it.”

For anyone who’s ever been a parent – or had a parent, for that matter – the coming-of-age journey is actually one that is required to be undertaken in either role. Developmental psychology characteristically defines it as the process of individuation. A daughter will say to the father, “I love you. But I’m not your little girl anymore. I’ve got this.” Then it becomes a cautionary tale, and the parent will do well to realize it’s time to let go and take the next step themselves.

“Here We Are” is what I consider a quiet, perfect, sweet little film. There is nothing grandiose or contrived about it. It takes a moment in time, with characters that give the viewer a glimpse of a kind of real life with which we might readily identify; taking us every bumpy step by step from conflict to resolution.

Aharon has devoted his life to raising his autistic son, Uri. He is willing to indulge and dwell with his son as best he can, in the world the boy inhabits. Early on in the story, we see the two heading home on their bicycles. Suddenly Uri stops. He’s afraid of running over snails on the roadway. “It’s Spring,” Aharon explains, “there are no snails.” But Uri is unconvinced, so the two of them walk alongside their bikes, carefully watching where they step.

But as Uri undertakes the process of becoming an adult, Aharon struggles to relinquish his own need to be the protective parent. It’s the father, not the child, who decides to run away from the special-needs home where Uri is intended to live. The film then becomes a road trip movie, including a few revealing but humorous scenes.

How good is this little movie? The Ophir Awards, colloquially known as the Israeli Oscars or the Israeli Academy Awards, are film awards for excellence in the Israeli film industry awarded by the Israeli Academy of Film and Television. In 2020, “Here We Are” won for Best Director, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay; as well as a Best Film nominee. jb