A dramatic airplane hijacking that unfolded in Uganda in 1976 is the subject of a new film called ‘7 Days in Entebbe’; has premiered at Berlin’s International Film Festival.
The stars of the film ‘7 days in Entebbe’ hit Berlin’s red carpet for the world premiere. The movie tells the true story of the dramatic rescue by Israeli commandos of more than one hundred, mostly Israeli hostages from Uganda’s Entebbe airport in 1976.
However, unlike other films about the topic, the focus is largely on the two German hijackers demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
“It’s a way to tell this story that’s unexpected, that’s not going to please everybody but is going to… It’s a great thriller but it also makes you think,” Rosamund Pike, an actress in the film said.
Uganda’s then-dictator Idi Amin allowed the hijackers to land in Uganda.
The filmmakers spoke with several people who lived through the dramatic events.
“Even though it’s a historical event, it’s one that has influenced history untill today. And so we took very good care of it by looking at research, talking to the real people who were there who are still alive,” Jose Padilha, director of the film said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s brother was killed in the operation and is regarded as a hero in Israel. His role in the raid is diminished in this telling however. The film’s director has also come under some criticism for its handling of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
“The nuances, the subtleties, he sort of stamps all over them and you really do sort of lose a lot of the political nuance that you probably really need.” Wendy Ide, film critic said.
45 Ugandan soldiers, as well as all the 4 hijackers, were killed in the raid.
The film is scheduled to be officially released on March 16.
