The “Bourekas Films” or in Hebrew, סרטי בורקס, is an Israeli film genre that rose and gained popularity between the 1960s and 1970s.
It is said that director Boaz Davidson first came up with the term, inspired by the popular Italian “Spaghetti Western”. The genre’s name alludes to the movies being about Israeli culture and identity, due to bourekas being an iconic dish in Sephardic Jewish cuisine and a staple to Israel’s today.
These films are melodramatic comedies that highlight the everyday struggles and cultural tensions of Israeli society, particularly the divide between Mizrahi Jews, typically from Middle Eastern and North African origins, and the Ashkenazi elite.
They pointed out ethnic and class differences, and at the time, hinted at the political and cultural changes that Israeli society would undergo in the coming decades.
“Bourekas films” were often focused on Mizrahi characters, who were portrayed as resourceful, resilient, and lively, though they frequently faced class struggles and ethnic discrimination. Oriental accents, indecent jokes, and slurred speech characterized them.
However, they were always exposed as clever and found ways to get by and beat the system.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Israeli society spectrum, Ashkenazi characters were presented as wealthy, cold, and obnoxious… but most importantly, as boring. This created a stark contrast that underscored societal divides.
Despite the exaggerated stereotypes, these films created a sense of camaraderie among viewers, as the plotlines frequently led to happy endings, symbolized by interracial weddings, bringing together opposing sides in a hopeful union.
While the public adored these movies, critics were less generous. Many in the cultural elite thought “Bourekas films” seemed shallow, reinforcing divisive stereotypes and undermining the complex issues they tried to address. They were often dismissed as low-quality entertainment, failing to live up to the artistic standards of European cinema.
Yet, their immense popularity reflected the appetite of Israeli society for light-hearted escapism and a willingness to laugh at its disgraces, in addition to celebrating their Eastern culture and traditions.
Classic examples every Israeli knows, include:
Givat Halfon Eina Ona (1976) directed by Assi Dayan (Youtube Extract)
Kazablan (1973), Menahem Golan - link to dedicated article.
Hagiga BaSnuker (1975), Boaz Davidson (Youtube extract)
Sallah Shabbati, a film that earned Israel its first Academy Award nomination, starring the internationally recognized Chaim Topol. (1964), Efraim Kishon (Youtube extract)
Alex Hole Ahava (1986), Boaz Davidson (Youtube extract)
Charlie ve’hetzi (1974), Boaz Davidson (extract below)
Many of these films experienced a revival in popularity during the 1990s and persist today as cult classics, a nostalgic reminder of a formative time in Israeli filmography.
Their legacy teaches Israeli audiences to laugh at themselves and to embrace, however imperfect, its diverse culture.
Article Written with the help of Naomi Marchese, video editor and cinema specialist.
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