The Gatekeepers-2012

Director Dror Moreh

Starring Ami Ayalon

Scott’s Review #103

Reviewed July 10, 2014

Grade: B-

I truly wanted to love The Gatekeepers, an Oscar-nominated documentary from 2012, but only mildly enjoyed it.

I find the nominating process and the award determination for documentaries baffling. In recent years it is beginning to mirror the Foreign Language film selection process.

The one documentary of the five that is brilliant (How to Survive a Plague) did not win and the documentary that did win (Searching for Sugar Man) was good, but not great.

The Gatekeepers explores an important, informative topic-the Israeli Secret Service. The documentary consisted of interviews with five former Secret Service members and was a tell-all of past situations and how the members handled the matters.

The documentary also uses real footage and computer animation to explain how the Secret Service becomes involved in military activity.

Important stuff, but it comes across as a bit dry and relatively dull.

After thirty minutes I found myself looking at the clock and somewhat tuning out.

I respect the documentary for its subject matter, but it could have used a bit of spice to keep things moving along.

Oscar Nominations: Best Documentary-Feature