Transit (1980)

Name: Transit
Genre: Drama
Released: 1980-01-02

1h 22m

Running Time

Plot.

It articulates the essence of one's internal exile through the portrait of a Jewish-German refugee who arrived in Israel on the eve of World War II, started a family – but has nevertheless, yet to feel at home in his new country. He remains connected to Berlin with every fiber of his being; the city’s culture, its essence, and as far as he’s concerned, Israel is no more than a pit stop. He gradually pulls away from his wife, his son who does not get him, his sisters who are haunted by the past, and the rental flat where he’s lived all these years. He sets up shop in a budget hotel by the Tel Aviv seaside, hangs out with a group of fringe misfits, and dreams of moving back to Berlin.

Where to Watch.

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Cast & Crew.

Fitcho Ben-Zur

Gedalia Besser

Yair Elazar

Ruth Geller

Fanny Lubitsch

Gita Luka

Amnon Moskin

Liora Rivlin

Talia Shapira

Moti Shirin

Gideon Singer

Daniel Wachsmann

Director / Writer

Daniel Horowitz

Writer

Jacob Goldwasser

Producer

Ilan Rosenberg

Cinematographer

Asher Tlalim

Editor

Levi Zini

Editor

Details.

Release Date
January 2, 1980

Original Name
טרנזיט

Status
Released

Running Time
1h 22m

Genres
Drama

Last updated: 2025-02-11

Wiki.

Transit is a 1980 Israeli drama film directed by Daniel Wachsmann. It was entered into the 30th Berlin International Film Festival. This is Daniel Wachsmann's first full-length film, which he co-wrote with Danny Horowitz. It is also the first film to be produced with the support of the Israeli Film Fund.

The plot follows a Jewish man who escapes Nazi Germany and, after passing through Italy and Shanghai, arrives in Israel. However, he struggles to adapt and views Israel as another temporary place, similar to his previous experiences, rather than a true homeland. The story is set in Tel Aviv after the Six-Day War.

The film was screened at various prestigious festivals, including the Berlin Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Cape Town Film Festival, Filmex in Los Angeles, and the Sydney Film Festival in 1980.