“The Human Resources Manager”
Until someone releases a movie called The Chartered Public Accountant, it’s hard to think of a more unpromising title than The Human Resources Manager. But this Israeli film – which plays on that very perception of blandness – is a surprising drama, by turns mildly amusing and mildly tragic. It’s certainly the most dynamic portrayal of a human resources manager in memory.
The Human Resources Manager of Jerusalem’s largest bakery is in trouble. He is separated from his wife, distanced from his daughter, and stuck in a job he hates. When one of his employees, a foreign worker, is killed in a suicide bombing, the bakery is accused of indifference, and the HR Manager is sent to the victim’s hometown in Romania to make amends. Far from home, on a mission to honor a woman he didn’t even know but has somehow grown to admire, the HR Manager fights to regain his company’s reputation – and possibly his own humanity.
Drama-Comedy / Israel, Germany, France, Romania / 2010 / 103 minutes
Director / Eran Riklis
Language / Hebrew, English and Romanian w / English subtitles
About the Filmmakers
Eran Riklis was born in Jerusalem in 1954 and grew up in Canada, USA, Brasil and Israel. He is a Graduate of The National Film School, Beaconsfield, England. Riklis has directed over 300 commercials, promos and corporate videos, many TV dramas and TV series, and directed and produced 9 feature films, including Lemon Tree (2008 Berlin International Film Festival Audience Award), The Syrian Bride (Montreal Grand Prix, Public, Fipresci & Ecumenical Awards, Locarno Public Award, Ghent Public and script Awards, Bastia Best actor, Script and Jury Awards, Auxerre Grand Prix), Vulcan Junction (1999 Haifa Best Film Award) and Cup Final (participated in Berlin and Venice, won prizes in Salerno, Valencia, Montpellier).
