As a seasoned observer of global politics and a keen follower of the tumultuous Israeli political landscape, I can confidently say that “The Bibi Files” is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the complexities surrounding Benjamin Netanyahu‘s reign. Despite not offering earth-shattering revelations, the documentary paints a vivid picture of the machinations and manipulations employed by Netanyahu to maintain his grip on power.
People who are critical of Benjamin Netanyahu might be disheartened to know that The Bibi Files, Alexis Bloom’s documentary, doesn’t offer any significant new revelations regarding the corruption allegations against the Israeli prime minister since 2016. However, they will still find plenty to digest – such as the exposed footage from police interrogations involving Netanyahu, his wife Sara, and son Yair, which led to Netanyahu attempting to prevent the film’s release through Israeli courts.
At DOC NYC, I’m making my official debut! After a sneak peek at the Toronto International Film Festival, and just before hitting the big screen and streaming platforms, I – The Bibi Files – am painting a chilling depiction of the tricks used by the subject to maintain power.
Previously mentioned accusations led to multiple indictments in 2019 for allegations of breach of trust, bribery, and fraud. These cases are still being heard. Recently, Netanyahu requested a delay in his trial’s latest phase because of the ongoing conflict with Hamas. This has fueled speculations that his handling of the conflict might be as much about evading prosecution as achieving his stated objective of “total victory.” As put by investigative journalist Raviv Drucker (one of the movie’s producers), “The war is merely another tool to maintain power.
Previously, transcripts from the inquiries were made available, but The Bibi Files provides the first chance to view actual video footage. This footage, if you ask me, is quite revealing – it’s fascinating, for instance, to witness a skilled politician and media expert express his annoyance over being questioned about matters like receiving luxury cigars as gifts. “Is this a crime?” he exclaims indignantly. “What a terrible thing!
Indeed, not all the gifts he received were insignificant; this was evident with a valuable piece of jewelry, priced at tens of thousands of dollars, that Israeli film producer Arnon Milchan (known for movies like “The Revenant” and “12 Years a Slave,” among others) presented to his wife Sara.
During interrogations, Netanyahu generally maintains a calm and composed demeanor, remarking at the end of one session, “Time just seems to fly when you’re enjoying yourself.” However, there are instances where his patience wears thin, causing him to slam his hand on the table and exclaim angrily, “Liar! Liar!” upon hearing a witness’ allegation. More frequently, though, he appears to struggle with recall, responding repeatedly with “I don’t remember” to questions posed. This tendency towards forgetfulness is reminiscent of another politician with whom he shares many similarities, Donald Trump.
Sara, on the contrary, is quite a formidable character who lends credence to the statement by an interviewee that “I believe Bibi fears Sara.” Known for her heavy drinking habits and quick temper, she doesn’t appreciate being questioned about receiving gifts of wine and champagne. “With terror attacks happening,” she snaps, “you’re questioning me about bottles?
In contrast to them, Yair is perceived as being even more conservative than his parents. He openly expresses disdain towards both the media and the law enforcement agencies who dare challenge his family. He mockingly remarks that the Israeli police have transformed into a secret police, aiming to overthrow the government. He labels them as a “mafia-like” force.
Beyond just the appealing aspects, this film additionally offers sharp and often critical observations from figures like Nir Hefetz, a former aide to Netanyahu, Ehud Olmert, a previous Israeli prime minister, and Ami Ayalon, a prominent Israeli politician who once headed Shin Bet. They make serious accusations, such as instances where Netanyahu is alleged to have manipulated media coverage from outlets like Walla news website. As one journalist puts it, “It felt like we were catering to only one person.” Furthermore, they imply that phrases like “less paprika” signified the story should be less critical.
The documentary, co-produced by Alex Gibney, presents a compelling case suggesting that Netanyahu intentionally backed Hamas for personal political gains. However, this isn’t how he perceives the situation himself, as evidenced by his invoking a quote from “The Godfather” to explain his strategy: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” he explains to his interrogators.
The movie titled “The Bibi Files” ends with distressing scenes of the October 7th attack and the subsequent Israel-Hams war, which some accuse Netanyahu of prolonging to boost his political career. In an emotional statement, a survivor of the attack expresses her desire for truth to prevail and for peace in the future. This is a heartening optimistic sentiment amidst a film that presents a lot of unpleasantness.
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2024-11-15 08:24