Yes Miss Commander!

Dan Setton, Itzik Lerner (96 min. 2009)

Sunday, April 18, Cleveland Art Museum

For 100 days the film crew of Yes, Miss Commander! has been following the unusual scenes in the Havat Hashomer military base in the Galilee. Soldiers there are no ordinary recruits. They come from a background of violence and abuse, crime, and drugs to a special training program designed to improve their self image and teach them discipline and military skills. Assigned to this task are young female soldiers from normative homes. With great patience, juggling between authoritative distance and emotional involvement, these young girls try to fulfill their mission.

The encounter between the two worlds and the tension between the sexes produce constant collisions, verbal clashes, and emotional outbreaks. One cannot avoid wondering about the problematic role the army has taken upon itself and whether such a heavy task should be entrusted in the hands of young inexperienced girls. Yet it is impossible not to be swept away by the intensive events and attractive characters as they develop towards the finish line. In a "fly on the wall" technique with no intervention or interpretation, Yes, Miss Commander! presents a compelling drama full of laughter and tears.