Rabin, the Last Day

Rabin, the Last Day is an expertly crafted dramatization that chronicles the final days of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, an iconic figure in Israeli history widely resented for what many Israelis perceived as a betrayal of their right to secure their national boundaries. Rabin was the fifth Prime Minister of Israel from 1974 until his assassination in 1995.

With a main cast of Ischac Hiskiya, Yitzhak Hizkiya, and Pini Mittelman, the film draws a vivid image of one of the darkest days in contemporary Israeli history—specifically, focusing on the thorough investigation of the circumstances that built up to the assassination of Rabin, reflecting on the social and political context of that time.

Ischac Hiskiya brings a profound and passionate portrayal of the slain PM while Yitzhak Hizkiya and Pini Mittelman, along with the other elements of the cast, display excellent acting craftsmanship to bring the narrative to life.

Set in the mid-90s, during a highly tumultuous time in Israeli society and politics because of the ongoing Israeli-Arab conflict, the movie offers a gloomy yet thought-provoking look into the specifics of Rabin’s assassination. This is manifested in its exploration of the country’s internal socio-political scenario of the time period, which, through a mood of resentment and anger, cultivated a conducive atmosphere for this shocking political assassination.

Director Amos Gitai employs a unique and highly effective narrative approach in recounting this tragic event. Instead of focusing simply on the brutal act itself, Gitai spins a broader web to include the public sentiment, political atmosphere, and religious extremism lurking behind the scenes. He uses the public inquiry into the assassination as the springboard to delve into the broader societal picture and reveal a complex web of dissenting opinion, conspiracy theories, and ideological extremism.

The film impressively amalgamates differing film styles, interspersing dry documentary-style sequences with gripping dramatic reconstructions. It simultaneously shifts from stark, emotionless readings of inquiry transcripts and testimonies, to the dynamic and impactful demonstrations of public outrage and unrest. This oscillation serves to highlight the gravity of the situation and firmly roots the event within its wider societal context.

Rabin, the Last Day not only charts the final hours leading to the assassination but also delineates the events in the aftermath. This includes investigative interviews, reenactments of Cabinet meetings, an exploration into the extremism influences, and the very public response to this shocking event. The director does a commendable job keeping the narrative engaging and insightful from the beginning to the end.

Furthermore, the film also examines many controversial and polarizing subjects like the influence of religious extremism within Israeli society, the popular acceptance of violence as a political tool, and the dangerous repercussions of ideological fanaticism, making it an intriguing watch with its thought-provoking exploration of political, religious, and social issues.

In terms of aesthetics, the movie is visually striking—shot with a dim, moody cinematographic palette that powerfully compliments the bleak narrative. The score, on the other hand, is largely understated, letting the weight of the dialogue and images carry the storytelling.

Against the backdrop of the real-life event, the film opens a window for viewers to understand the intricacies of that era's political landscape. Despite being rooted in historical context, the film’s exploration of societal division, ideological extremism, and the possible tumultuous consequences of these factors ring universally true and raise many contemporary questions about political turmoil, making it a contemporary parable for other nations as well.

Rabin, The Last Day is a part political thriller, part docudrama, and an essential watch for anyone intrigued by world history, political assassination, or Israeli politics. It is a stark, disturbing but essential journey into one of the shocking events of political history, and the societal divisions that can lead to such a tragedy.