Product Details

• Actors: Ohad Knoller, Yehuda Levi, Assi Cohen, Aya Steinovitz, Hani Furstenberg
• Directors: Eytan Fox
• Writers: Avner Bernheimer
• Producers: Amir Harel, Gal Uchovsky
• Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: Hebrew
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Strand Releasing
• DVD Release Date: April 13, 2004
• Run Time: 65 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001KNHAO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,993 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #70 in Movies & TV > DVD > Gay & Lesbian
• Learn more about "Yossi & Jagger" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The moving Yossi & Jagger, at 65 minutes in length, has the focused impact and emotional clarity of a fine short story. A multiple award winner (among other prizes, Yossi & Jagger took a Best Actor honor for Ohad Knoller at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival), this unusual love tale, set on a snowy Israeli-Lebanese border facing possible Hezbollah incursions, has an unexpected sweetness and buoyancy. Knoller plays square-jawed, no-nonsense Yossi, company commander of an Israeli Defense Forces unit exhausted from sleepless nights anticipating an ambush. The handsome, fun-loving Jagger (Yehuda Levi), nicknamed for his rock-star appeal, is platoon leader and, unknown to all, Yossi's secret lover. The two arrange trysts by going off together on missions, and while Jagger begs Yossi to leave the army when the former's service is up, Yossi reminds him that real life is not a romantic movie. Meanwhile, the platoon's other characters and a trio of visitors--a colonel (Sharon Reginiano) and his two female soldier-companions (Hani Furstenberg, Aya Koren)--prove to be a lot of fun sorting out everything from menus to love lives before their next, possibly lethal mission. Director Eytan Fox's naturalistic touch, and ability to highlight the expansiveness of mature love even in the most tragic and ironic of circumstances, is something to marvel at. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

Yossi (Ohad Knoller) is the stoic company commander of an Israeli Defense Forces unit on the Lebanese border. Jagger (Yehuda Levi), who got his nickname thanks to his fun-loving rock star appeal, is the platoon leader. They have a secret. When they walk off in the snow together, it isn't because they're on patrol--it's because they're lovers. Jagger is more gregarious. He tells Yossi that he loves him, and longs to hear Yossi say it back to him. He makes plans for their future together, urging Yossi to leave the army with him when Jagger's mandatory service is done. Yossi can't bring himself to make any promises. "This isn't some. . .American movie," he tells Jagger. The colonel (Sharon Reginiano) arrives with two female soldiers, the irrepressible sexpot Goldie (Hani Furstenberg) and her more introspective friend Yaeli (Aya Koren of Late Marriage), who harbors a serious crush on Jagger, and is herself pursued by Jagger's nosy roommate, Ofir (Assi Cohen). As the unit's perfectionist chef, Yaniv (Erez Kahana) struggles to make a sumptuous meal for the commanding officer with meager supplies, the colonel tells Yossi that Hezbollah forces are expected to cross the border, and the already exhausted unit needs to set up an ambush that night. Yossi & Jagger, directed by Eytan Fox, was a critical and commercial hit in Israel. It was shown at the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival and had its U.S. premiere at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 78 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly moving February 27, 2004

By F. Averick

Format:DVD

I wasn't sure what to expect from this Israeli film about the love between two male soldiers, and I was pleasantly surprised by the humor and surprisingly moved by the clandestine love between uptight Yossi and the more free-spirited Jagger (called that because he looks and acts like a rock star).

The movie is fairly short--maybe a little over an hour--but it packs a lot in a that short time.

91 of 100 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brothers in Arms August 12, 2004

By NonModo

Format:DVD

After a brief stint in Hollywood, director Eytan Fox returned to Israel and made this beautiful and passionate film which speaks through its simplicity. Though 65 minutes long, Yossi and Jagger captures the spirited elan and tensions of Israeli youths in the armed forces and presents certainly one of the most resonant film romances I have been fortunate enough to watch.

The film makes good use by perverting its own clichés with its characterisations and a predictable, sentimental story. The surprise is a truly touching portrait of youth on the front lines. In war some lose their limbs, some their minds and others their loves, only to be reborn. Yossi and Jagger doesn't wallow in it: it's fast moving; there's no time for preaching. Not until the film is over will you really start to consider its realities.

Yossi and Jagger makes no plea for any cause. That makes it immensely watchable. Here are two people in love, and other (unrequited) love interests, each with distinct personalities, frame that image, each character pushing its own personal objectives, whims, desires and dreams.

Ohad Knoller(stage credits) and popular Israeli tv star Yehuda Levi give excelling performances.

This movie essentially also delivers the pictorial completeness of David Kaplan's informative book: Brothers and Others in Arms: The Making of Love and War in Israeli Combat Units.

I also recommend Walk on Water by the same director.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars THE LOVE OF TWO SOLDIERS! June 9, 2004

By "yaaah69"

Format:DVD

I was a little hesitant to rent this movie after seeing "Trembling Before G-D", which was a real eye-opener to me. I guess we go around with our heads in the clouds, not thinking what other homosexuals have to go thru for their religion.... But , the two movies had nothing in common except they were made in Isreal. Yossi and Jagger is a bittersweet love affair between two Isreali soldiers, very well played by Yehuda Levi , and Ohad Knoller, you could feel the love they had for each other and the hurt Jagger was going thru because they had to be so careful as they were officers. Its hard to get a real grip on the characters as its only 67 min long and leaves you grasping for more. But Eytan Fox did a splendid job with the time he had. The song that Jagger sings is haunting in the extra video on the disc. I felt that these men brought back to Isreal some hope that you can have same sex love without the terrible angst they had in Trembling Before God . I give this great little flick 41/2 of 5 and will be looking forward to seeing Eytan Foxs' new movie "Walking On Water". By the way you can get the words in english of the song Your Soul on the message boards for Yossi and Jagger on imdb.ciao yaaah69