Cannon Fodder, resented in Miami by the Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) and the Israeli Consulate at O Cinema, marked the the Florida premiere of the first ever zombie movie made in Israel. As part of the MJFF pre-festival programing, writer-director Eitan Gafni and actress Yafit Shalev attended the screening to introduce the film and participate in a Q&A.
Even without knowing that this was the first Israelite film of its kind, it is very clear that the zombies are presented in a new form than what we are use to. The infected ones are quite animalistic in a very unfamiliar way, and this may have to do with the fact that the townspeople who played the zombies have never seen a zombie film, so their interpretation of the “biters” is completely genuine and organic.
Another element of the film that was very apparent was the excessive racist remarks by the character, Daniel. The purpose of making this character racist is for him to go through an awakening, along with the audience having an awakening with him.
The film played homage to its genre and at the same time served as a satire by using dark humor to address typical horror movie situations and scenes. The graphics of the movie were that of a very small budget, but it can be seen as part of the satire tone of the film. Plus, the cheese also oozes from every corner when sentimental scenes are delivered, as a form of satire (or at least I hope so, because this is either hilarious or awfully cheesy).
The film also showed a female character with a very strong sense of purpose and leadership, without infecting her with a love story (no pun intended), which is stereotypical for female roles in this genre of film.
For the very small budget, the film’s beauty is seen through the cinematography and the eagerness to create homage to classic horror and/or action movies, as well as show a horror fantastical film through the context of Israel.
The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) is a beloved community event that is now celebrating 17 years of longevity, and is based on a solid foundation of cultural commitment to the community. By showcasing the best international Jewish-interest films and encouraging interaction through social events, panel discussions, and seminars, we believe that film can and does effect change: in attitude, opinion, and cultural understanding.