Bethlehem (2013)
A tense, morally complex Israeli thriller about the dangerous bond between a spy and his teenage informant in the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Bethlehem - Movie Information
- Original Title: בית לחם
- Release Year: 2013
- Directed by: Yuval Adler
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: Hebrew
- Spoken Languages: Arabic, Hebrew
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 26, 2013 (Israel), February 19, 2014 (France)
- Alternative Titles: בית לחם (IL), 烽火無間 (TW), Belém - Zona de Conflito (BR)
- Production Companies: Pie Films, Entre Chien et Loup, Gringo Films
- Production Countries: Belgium, Germany, Israel
Bethlehem - Plot
Bethlehem tells the story of the unlikely bond between Razi, an Israeli secret service officer, and his Palestinian informant Sanfur, the younger brother of a senior Palestinian militant. Razi recruited Sanfur when he was just 15, and developed a very close, almost fatherly relationship to him. Now 17, Sanfur tries to navigate between Razi's demands and his loyalty to his brother, living a double life and lying to both men.
Where to Watch Bethlehem
Looking for where to watch Bethlehem? Streaming options include Kino Film Collection, Hoopla, Amazon Video, and Apple TV Store depending on your region.
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Bethlehem - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yuval Adler
Main Cast
- Tsahi Halevi
- Shadi Mar'i
- Hitham Omari
- Tarik Kopty
- George Iskandar
- Yossi Eini
- Efrat Shnap
- Karem Shakur
- Ibrahim Saqallah
- Michael Shtamler
Writers
- Ali Vakad
- Yuval Adler
Producers
- Sébastien Delloye
- Diana Elbaum
- Sonja Ewers
- Osnat Handelsman-Keren
- Steve Hudson
Bethlehem - FAQs
Where can you watch Bethlehem online?
Bethlehem is available to stream on Kino Film Collection (subscription), watch for free on Hoopla, or rent and buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch for the most current streaming options in your area.
Is Bethlehem based on a true story?
Bethlehem is not based on a single true story, but it draws heavily from real-world dynamics of Israeli intelligence operations in the West Bank. Co-writer Ali Vakad, a former Shin Bet officer, brought firsthand knowledge of handler-informant relationships, lending the film an unusually authentic and credible portrayal.
What is Bethlehem about?
Bethlehem follows Razi, an Israeli Shin Bet officer, and Sanfur, his 17-year-old Palestinian informant and younger brother of a wanted militant. Caught between loyalty to his handler and his own family, Sanfur lives a dangerous double life. The film explores trust, betrayal, and moral ambiguity in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Who are the main actors in Bethlehem?
Bethlehem stars Tsahi Halevi as Israeli officer Razi and Shadi Mar'i as the teenage informant Sanfur. The supporting cast includes Hitham Omari, Tarik Kopty, George Iskandar, Yossi Eini, Efrat Shnap, Karem Shakur, Ibrahim Saqallah, and Michael Shtamler.
How does Bethlehem end?
Bethlehem builds to a devastating conclusion in which the fragile bond between Razi and Sanfur collapses under the weight of competing loyalties. Sanfur's double life becomes untenable, and the film ends on a tragic, morally unresolved note — reflecting the film's broader theme that there are no clean outcomes in this conflict.
Who directed Bethlehem and who wrote it?
Bethlehem was directed by Yuval Adler in his feature debut. The screenplay was co-written by Adler and Ali Vakad, a former Israeli Shin Bet officer whose insider knowledge of intelligence operations shaped the film's authenticity and moral complexity.
Did Bethlehem win any awards?
Yes. Bethlehem won the Ophir Award (Israeli Academy Award) for Best Film in 2013 and was Israel's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It also received strong critical acclaim internationally, earning praise for its nuanced portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What are movies similar to Bethlehem?
Viewers who enjoyed Bethlehem may also appreciate Waltz with Bashir (2008), Paradise Now (2005), Walk on Water (2004), Donnie Brasco (1997), Farha (2021), and Spy Game (2001) — films that similarly explore loyalty, identity, and moral compromise in conflict-driven or espionage settings.
More About Bethlehem
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