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IMDbPro

Lemon Tree

Original title: Etz Limon
  • 20082008
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
Lemon Tree (2008)
A drama based on the true story of a Palestinian widow who must defend her lemontree field when a new Israeli Defense Minister moves next to her and threatens to have her lemon grove torn down.
Play trailer2:29
1 Video
11 Photos
  • Drama
  • War
The story of a Palestinian widow who must defend her lemontree field when a new Israeli Defense Minister moves next to her and threatens to have her lemon grove torn down.The story of a Palestinian widow who must defend her lemontree field when a new Israeli Defense Minister moves next to her and threatens to have her lemon grove torn down.The story of a Palestinian widow who must defend her lemontree field when a new Israeli Defense Minister moves next to her and threatens to have her lemon grove torn down.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Eran Riklis
  • Writers
    • Suha Arraf
    • Eran Riklis
  • Stars
    • Hiam Abbass
    • Rona Lipaz-Michael
    • Ali Suliman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Eran Riklis
  • Writers
    • Suha Arraf
    • Eran Riklis
  • Stars
    • Hiam Abbass
    • Rona Lipaz-Michael
    • Ali Suliman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 39User reviews
    • 88Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 8 wins & 13 nominations

    Videos1

    Lemon Tree (AKA Etz Limon): Trailer
    Trailer 2:29
    Lemon Tree (AKA Etz Limon): Trailer

    Photos11

    Tarik Kopty in Lemon Tree (2008)
    Hiam Abbass, Ali Suliman, and Tarik Kopty in Lemon Tree (2008)
    Hiam Abbass and Ali Suliman in Lemon Tree (2008)
    Hiam Abbass in Lemon Tree (2008)
    Lemon Tree (2008)
    Lemon Tree (2008)
    Lemon Tree (2008)
    Lemon Tree (2008)
    Lemon Tree (2008)
    Lemon Tree (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Hiam Abbass
    Hiam Abbass
    • Salma Zidaneas Salma Zidane
    Rona Lipaz-Michael
    Rona Lipaz-Michael
    • Mira Navonas Mira Navon
    Ali Suliman
    Ali Suliman
    • Ziad Daudas Ziad Daud
    Doron Tavory
    Doron Tavory
    • Defense Minister Israel Navonas Defense Minister Israel Navon
    Tarik Kopty
    Tarik Kopty
    • Abu Hussamas Abu Hussam
    • (as Tarik Copti)
    Amos Lavi
    Amos Lavi
    • Commander Jacobas Commander Jacob
    • (as Amos Lavie)
    Amnon Wolf
    Amnon Wolf
    • Leibowitzas Leibowitz
    Liron Baranes
    • Giladas Gilad
    Smadar Jaaron
    • Tamar Geraas Tamar Gera
    • (as Smadar Yaaron)
    Danny Leshman
    • Private Itamar 'Quickie'as Private Itamar 'Quickie'
    Ayelet Robinson
    Ayelet Robinson
    • Shellyas Shelly
    Amos Tamam
    Amos Tamam
    • Simon Hassonas Simon Hasson
    Loai Nofi
    Loai Nofi
    • Nasser Zidaneas Nasser Zidane
    • (as Loai Noufi)
    Hili Yalon
    Hili Yalon
    • Sigi Navonas Sigi Navon
    Makram Khoury
    Makram Khoury
    • Abu Kamalas Abu Kamal
    • (as Makram J. Khoury)
    Michael Warshaviak
    • Braverman - the attorneyas Braverman - the attorney
    Jameel Khoury
    Jameel Khoury
    • Mussa - Salma's Son-in-Lawas Mussa - Salma's Son-in-Law
    • (as Jamil Khoury)
    Yair Lapid
    Yair Lapid
    • Self - the TV presenteras Self - the TV presenter
    • Director
      • Eran Riklis
    • Writers
      • Suha Arraf
      • Eran Riklis
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Title Card: [last title card]

      [after the end credits]

      Title Card: Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

    • Crazy credits
      After the end credits are over, the theme song's chorus "Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat" is shown on screen.
    • Connections
      References Yair Lapid (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Lemon Tree
      Written by Will Holt (as William Willy Holt)

      Performed by Mira Awad

      Fur Deutschland, Osterreich, Schweiz

      Musik-ed. Europaton/Ebony MV/

      Essex Music (T6JMusicService)/Bosworth Music

    User reviews39

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A Sensitive Inside View of the Israeli Palestinian Conflict
    LEMON TREE (ETZ LIMON) is a film of quiet power, the kind of film that does not find it necessary to expose the audience to violence and conflagrations to make its point, but instead relies on the power of human reactions to carry the very heartfelt punch. Written by Suha Arraf and Eran Riklis (who also directs) the story is a deceptively simple one. The setting is the West Bank. On the Palestinian side of the border lives the widow Salma Zidane (the enormously gifted actress Hiam Abbass remembered best by American audiences for her luminous portrayal of the mother in THE VISITOR) who continues to tend her family's lemon grove alone, barely making enough money to support herself. Abruptly, on the Israeli side of the border, the government builds a house for the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Navon (Doron Tavory) and his beautiful and wisely sensitive wife Mira Navon (Rona Lipaz-Michael). Strange neighbors, these, more under the influence of the Israeli Secret Police who are assigned to guard the Minister than sensitive to the basic kindness of human decency. The Secret Service decides the lemon grove must be cut down to guard against possible terrorist access to the Minister, a declaration that sets off Salma's fear of losing her land and income. Salma seeks the help of young lawyer Zaid Daud (Ali Suliman) who bonds with her emotionally and legally and together they fight all the way to the Supreme Court to save the lemon trees. Fences are built, soldiers abuse the privacy of Salma, and the increased publicity in the media divides not only the peoples on both sides of the border but also the Navons: Mira empathizes with Salma, champions her rights, and though the two women never meet, the bond between them transcends the ages long hostilities between the Arabs and the Israelis. The result of the interpersonal conflict between the Navons and Salma is buried by the expected governmental insensitivity and the film ends with some sad surprises.

    The cast of this film, including the minor roles that draw focus for only moments but in a memorable manner, is uniformly exceptional. Hiam Abbass is rapidly becoming one of the most impressive actresses on the screen today: she says more with her eyes and her body language than pages of dialogue could attempt. The surprises come from the other members of the quartet of actors that lead this story, so impressive are their portrayals that the entire question of the West Bank conflict seems understandable...and remedial! Based on a true story, this is an excellent film on many levels. In Hebrew, Arabic, English and French with subtitles.

    Grady Harp
    helpful•10
    1
    • gradyharp
    • Sep 7, 2009

    FAQ1

    • Is the movie based on a real-life incident?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 2008 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Heimatfilm (Germany)
      • MACT Productions (France)
    • Languages
      • Arabic
      • Hebrew
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El árbol de lima
    • Filming locations
      • Djelazoun, West Bank, Israel
    • Production companies
      • Heimatfilm
      • MACT Productions
      • Eran Riklis Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $569,672
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $14,602
      • Apr 19, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,387,488
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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