
War Drama
CUP FINAL
גביע העולם
About the film
Cup Final (Gmar Gavi’a) is a powerful, genre-bending war drama from early in Eran Riklis’s celebrated career, blending suspense, character study and humanity in an unforgettable story set during Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. The film follows Cohen, a young Israeli soldier taken hostage by a small group of Palestinian fighters as the conflict unfolds.
Amid the rubble and tension of war, an extraordinary and surprising connection emerges: both Cohen and his captors share an ardent love for football — especially their support for the Italian team in the 1982 FIFA World Cup — and this common passion gradually breaks down the barriers of nationalism and enmity.
Featuring a standout performance by Muhammad Bakri as the Palestinian commander Ziad, this heartfelt tribute celebrates Bakri’s legacy and Riklis’s gift for portraying the fragile, often ironic humanity that can arise even in the most brutal of conflicts.

CAST AND CREW
year: 1991 duration: 110 MIN language: ENGLISH,
HEBREW, ARABIC WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES director: ERAN RIKLIS writers: EYAL HALFON BASED ON A STORY BY RIKLIS prodocers: MICHAEL SHARFSHTEIN, ERAN RIKLIS cast: MOSHE IVGY, MOHAMMED BAKRI, SALIM DAW, BASSAM ZOAMUT, YUSSEF ABU WARDE
MEET THE director
Eran Riklis is one of Israel’s most dynamic and internationally celebrated directors, known for emotionally powerful films like Lemon Tree and The Syrian Bride. His latest work, Reading Lolita in Tehran, adapts Azar Nafisi’s bestselling memoir into a bold, festival‑acclaimed drama about courage, literature, and women’s resilience under oppression, bringing his signature blend of heart and social insight to global audiences.



