Israelis didn't seem too slighted by the not-too-favorable portrayal of them. At Wednesday's premiere in Tel Aviv, the packed crowd burst out in ovation and laughter at each sighting of an Israeli actor and at each over-the-top cliche of their behavior...
"I wasn't insulted at all. It was funny. Exaggerated, but funny," said Guy Ben-Yaacov, 23 "Besides, I know a few guys like Zohan."
"I think it is almost a gesture toward Israel," said Ido Mosseri, who plays Zohan's pushy expat Israeli sidekick Oori. "I was a little worried because Israeli crowds are very critical, but I think they took it all in with love."
Once you get over Sandler's atrocious attempt at an Israeli accent, the fact that Zohan isn't even a real Israeli name and several other glaring loopholes, the film does raise some issues to which Israelis can easily relate.
Like Zohan, many young Israelis escape the country after completing their military service to go on lengthy backpacking trips through Asia or South America or to work in odd jobs in American cities. And in New York, for instance, young Israelis are commonly seen working as furniture movers or aggressively selling useless knickknacks. ...the concept for the Zohan movie evolved from a spoof of just such Israelis.
Shaanan Streett, frontman for one of Israel's best-known hip-hop ensembles, Hadag Nahash, has four of his band's Hebrew songs featured in the film. He didn't mind the ribbing at all. "I have no problem making fun of Israel, 'cause I think we are pretty damn funny," he said. "A lot of Israelis think that Israel is holier than holy, but when things are not so sad here, they are actually funny .... it's a step toward normality to make fun of us."
while I tried to think about other secret agent hair dresser movies.
