Cast: Mark Ivanir, Gila Almagor, Guri Alfi and Noah Silver
Directed by: Eran Riklis
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Genre: Drama-Comedy / Hebrew, English & Romanian with Subtitles
Running Time: 1hr 43min
By John Delia
Good acting, direction and cinematography work together in making The Human Resources Manger an entertaining film. The foreign drama with a comedic undertone had me captivated by the cultural norms of a people caught up in a society awry with social fears. If you like movies that take you to places you’ve never been, then this one’s a must see.
The Human Resources Manager (Mark Ivanir) of Jerusalem’s largest bakery is in trouble. He is separated from his wife, distanced from his daughter, and stuck in a job he hates. When one of his employees, a foreign worker, is killed in a suicide bombing, the bakery is accused of indifference, and the HR Manager is sent to the victim’s hometown in Romania to make amends. Far from home, on a mission to honor a woman he didn’t even know but has somehow grown to admire, the HR Manager fights to regain his company’s reputation – and possibly his own humanity.
Filled with cultural differences beyond those in the USA, The Human Resources Manger opens the door to a world of interesting customs. The movie tests its characters with challenges in life that form roadblocks for many and a new life for others. I enjoyed this little film with its fine cast and wonderful script.
The film is unrated but contains adult situations. The movie is filmed in Hebrew, English and Romanian with subtitles.