Lalo Dla Fuente When I saw the short film West Bank Story I didn't expect a Musical shortcut. At the begging it was wonderful to see the differences about both cultures Israelis (Jewish) and Pakistanis (Muslim), from cloths, food, life style and ideals, even music and dance can be appreciate in this film. The main actors in this film are two young persons a Pakistani Cashier Girl and a Israeli Soldier that are in love, the problem as you can expect is the rivalry between both cultures. The plot is only about how the young lovers can workout differences between both families. A great film to think about our own ideals and cultures.

ccthemovieman-1 This parody of "West Side Story" has a fabulous opening which I suppose would be even more hilarious to anyone who is familiar with the 1961 movie. Not ever watching that film, except for a few clips, I couldn't appreciate the parody in here. However, humor is humor and good singing is good singing and there is a lot of both in this 21-minute short. Considering the topic, it is not a shock it won the Academy Award for Best Short Film/Live Action in 2006. Simply put, we have competing fast-food restaurants on the West Bank: one Jewish, one Arabic. You have the "Kosher King" eatery on one side and the "Hummus Hut" on the other. Some of the signs in each establishment are clever ("The Chosen Restaurant") and some of lyrics sung by the "help" will make you laugh. There almost is too much to digest in a short period. One would have to view this several times to get all the jokes in the first few minutes.Unfortunately, the rest of the film - the bulk of it - can't match that fantastic beginning. Things settle down when the romantic songs start and the rest of the story is romance and "peace" between the two long-time enemies. It gets very cliché-like and predictable.....too much so, to the point of being sappy.

harborrat28 This movie left me feeling as if I'd tasted something more than a bit spoiled. It was puerile, a circumstance which may be explained by the fact that it was part of a masters' project in a California film school.Quel surprise that the Hollywood pack would pick this movie over any of the others, all of which were foreign. I waited for the credits with curiosity to see if there were many Muslim participants in its planning and execution. There weren't.My own feelings about the Jewish/Palestinian question are very conflicted. Overall, however, I know it is serious and I wonder if many Palestinians (or, for that matter, thoughtful Israelis, especially those whose sons are being carried home in body bags) would find this an amusing movie . It was as if the film's makers chose to do a musical comedy featuring a seriously disabled person, using that individual's problems as pratfalls for cheap laughs. It was in excruciatingly poor taste and very juvenile. But the old Hollywood trade association was true to form--parochial and gross in its tastes.

kirklott I just saw this at the Boulder International Film Festival, and it was the highlight of the comedies. West Bank Story is a ruthlessly funny send-up of everything from Middle East tension to Hollywood musicals. I have no idea how much the filmmakers spent, but they went over the top for what appears to be a student film (USC). Great casting, music including a complete orchestral score, writing, production design - this has it all, especially for a short. I hope director Ari is able to find a career in Hollywood, because he deserves it. (OK, IMDb is forcing me to write more, so I'll tell you the movie featured a camel, clever sets, etc.)