Live and Become
Seen it?2005 | 140 min | Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 20 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 1980, the black Falashas in Ethiopia are recognised as genuine Jews and are secretly carried to Israel. The day before the transport the son of a Jewish mother dies. In his place and with his name (Schlomo) she takes a Christian 9-year-old boy.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 3 Berlin awards: Berlin International Film Festival: Panorama Audience Award (feature film), Berlin International Film Festival: Europa Cinemas Label, Berlin International Film Festival: Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (Panorama). Plus 6 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 6K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Radu Mihăileanu
- Moshe AbebeSchlomo (teenager)
- Moshe AgazaiSchlomo (child)
- Sirak M. SabahatSchlomo (adult)
- Roni HadarSara
- Yaël AbecassisYaël
- Roschdy ZemYoram Harrari
- Yitzhak EdgarQès Amrah
- Rami DanonPapy
- Meskie Shibru SivanSchlomo's Mother
- Mimi Abonesh KebedeHana