Holding Liat movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: Holding Liat

This sobering documentary is now playing in the US in select indie theaters. In the United Kingdom, Holding Liat can be found on BBC Four and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

RATING: Not Rated (Documentary)

LENGTH: 1 hour 37 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Holding Liat is a deeply personal and emotionally raw documentary that follows the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks through the eyes of a family desperately trying to bring their loved one home. The film focuses on politics, military strategy, ideological disagreements, as well as grief, endurance, and the power of human connection in the face of unimaginable uncertainty. The film was directed by Brandon Kramer, who is a filmmaker in Washington DC and co-founder of Meridian Hill Pictures.

Already, the film has been nominated for and won several Best Documentary awards.

I’ve been to Israel and love the people and country. The politics in that region of the world are extremely complicated, but I love that this film focuses on humanity.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Young kids will be extremely bored. This documentary deals with real-world violence, terrorism, hostage situations, and emotional trauma. While there is no graphic violence, the subject matter is intense and emotionally heavy. The film is better suited for mature teens and adults who are prepared for serious discussions about war, grief, and resilience.

Profanity, including many F-bombs
Talk of murder and kidnappings
A lot of Hebrew is spoken, so viewers have to read subtitles.
We see blood splatters and lots of destruction.
It’s hard to imagine how I would react in a similar situation. I know it wouldn’t be pretty, and I probably would say terrible things in anger and frustration. We see a lot of conversations like that in the film.

THEMES:

Hope
The power of family
Hope amid despair
Courage
The cost of conflict on civilians
Love as an act of resistance
Faith, endurance, and perseverance
Call for accountability
Socialist ideology
Connection and humanity

THINGS I LIKED:

It’s fascinating to watch how the family of the kidnapped daughter immediately sprang into action to try to affect politics and make things happen that could result in her release. Now that some time has passed, it’s interesting to see how things played out.
As all of the events unfolded between Israel and Hamas in the last few months, I’ve often thought about those who were captured and what they were enduring. While I slept in my warm bed or played with my grandchildren, my heart ached for the Jewish people who were being tortured in caves or other buildings in the Gaza Strip.
The quiet moments speak louder than speeches.
The film reminds us that every headline represents real people and real families. The issues are complex and heartbreaking on all sides.
There is emotional honesty that is raw and unfiltered.
We see helpful title cards on the screen that remind us how much time has passed since the day Liat was kidnapped.
There is a haunting visual that shows school mailboxes with tape over them that reads “Kidnapped”, “Released” or “Killed”. How devastating.

The family of Liat worry that their efforts may not have done anything, and they worry that they wasted their time. Later, we see the very positive results from their hard work.
We get to see some Israeli homes, and even a funeral. It was interesting that no one wore black and the coffin was simply made out of wood. The family danced and tried to be thankful for the time they had with their loved one. So touching.
You WILL cry. It’s all about family, my friends.
I appreciated the fact that so many people asked, “What’s next?” at each phase of this ordeal, and especially after people were released.
It’s impressive how many Israelis speak English.
The accompanying music is sober and respectful.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It is emotionally exhausting and not an easy watch. People argue about politics constantly and understandably.
There is a clear left-slant to some of the family’s personal political opinions, so those on the right might feel uncomfortable or even angry at what they hear. We also hear some anti-Hamas and Palestinians statements.
Viewers looking for political context or resolution may feel frustrated.
The open-ended nature may feel unresolved for some audiences.

FUNNY LINES:

None — this film maintains a serious and reverent tone throughout.

INTERESTING LINES:

While the film avoids quotable “sound bites,” the most powerful moments come from quiet reflections that underscore how love and hope persist even when answers do not come.

“The main thing is that you touch their hearts.” – political advisor in the USA
“Another hug doesn’t work.” – Mother of Aviv (husband of Liat)
“I think differently than you do, and it’s okay.” – Liat’s father
“It’s very easy to fall into this place of loss.” – Liat
“People shouldn’t starve to death, no matter who they are, but by the same token…it’s not okay to go into people’s houses and take them hostage either.” – Liat
“Before October 7, peace was an option, but now we have no choice.” – Liat
When Liat was asked how she felt about the fence now. She explained that she never thought about it before and didn’t think it mattered to her life. She now stated, “There’s a price for not acknowledging…”

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

For Sama
Pray Away
The Rescue
Hostages
20 Days in Mariupol

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