When Pigs Have Wings Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A poor fisherman in Gaza catches a pig in his net, which is basically the worst thing that could happen, sparking a chaotic adventure across religious lines trying to get rid of the forbidden bacon.

🍿 When Pigs Have Wings: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Unexpected Catch in Gaza

Jafaar, a poor Palestinian fisherman living in Gaza, struggles to make a living. After a storm, he hauls in a most unusual catch in his net: a pig. This presents a significant problem, as pigs are considered unclean animals by both Islam and Judaism, making its presence deeply taboo in his community.

Attempts to Hide and Dispose

Desperate to get rid of the forbidden animal, Jafaar attempts various methods, including trying to sell it. His efforts to conceal the pig from his neighbors, his wife Fatima, and the authorities lead to a series of comical misadventures. He finds it impossible to simply discard or ignore the creature.

A Unique Business Proposition

Jafaar’s quest to get rid of the pig leads him to an unexpected encounter. He meets Yelena, a Russian immigrant living in a nearby Israeli settlement, who surprisingly raises pigs. However, Yelena doesn’t raise them for meat but for a peculiar reason related to security. Jafaar sees an opportunity, leading to a clandestine and culturally challenging business arrangement.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jafaar (Sasson Gabay): A poor Palestinian fisherman whose life is complicated when he accidentally catches a pig, an animal forbidden by his religion.
• Fatima (Baya Belal): Jafaar’s no-nonsense wife who is initially unaware of or displeased by his secret dealings with the forbidden animal.
• Yelena (Myriam Tekaïa): A Russian Jewish woman in a settlement who raises pigs and enters into a clandestine business arrangement with Jafaar.
• Hussein (Khalifa Natour): Jafaar’s friend and confidant who offers advice on dealing with the unexpected pig.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Fatima: “He said if you didn’t repay him your debt you’d end up in jail. What did you answer him? That we are already in jail!” – Fatima recounts a conversation about Jafaar’s debt, highlighting the confined reality of their lives in Gaza.

💰Box Office

• Budget: €4,574,488
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $2,733,806

💥 When Pigs Have Wings Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this not knowing what to expect, and catching a pig in Gaza? Pure absurdity, right? But honestly, I was hooked immediately by Jafaar’s plight. You just feel for the guy; he’s trying to make a living and suddenly has this forbidden animal causing all sorts of trouble. There were moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud, like him trying to sneak the pig around or his interactions with everyone from soldiers to fundamentalists. But it also had these really poignant touches about everyday life and survival in a tough situation. I really appreciated how it used humor to highlight the ridiculousness of the political situation without being preachy. Sasson Gabay is amazing; his expressions alone tell such a story. It’s a little gem of a film, a ‘cruel tale’ told with a surprising amount of warmth and wit.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of satirical comedies and dark humor”
  • “Viewers interested in films about the Middle East conflict from a unique perspective”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven fables”
  • “Audiences looking for thought-provoking films with a light touch”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Thematic elements related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (depicted satirically)”
  • “Cultural and religious taboos are central to the plot (handled with humor)”
  • “Mild language (comedic context)”
  • “Depiction of sensitive animal handling (non-graphic, comedic context)”

Professional Reviews

• Based on User Reviews: “”When Pigs Have Wings” uses a simple, absurd premise to craft a surprisingly insightful look at life in Gaza. Sasson Gabay shines as the hapless fisherman, bringing both humor and deep humanity to his struggle. The film manages to find genuine laughs amidst the challenging political backdrop, offering a fresh and often hilarious perspective.
• Based on User Reviews: “While the central idea is brilliant and Sasson Gabay is excellent, the film sometimes feels a bit thin stretched over its runtime. It offers charm and amusing situations, but perhaps doesn’t dig as deep as it could into the complexities it introduces. Still, it’s a unique blend of comedy and commentary that’s mostly successful.

Audience Reactions

Many loved Sasson Gabay’s portrayal of the ‘likable loser’ Jafaar.: Viewers frequently praised the film’s unique blend of humor and serious political commentary, finding it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Overall Consensus: A charming and original tragicomedy praised for its unique premise, lead performance, and ability to find humor and humanity in a difficult setting.

Awards

1. César Award (Best First Feature Film)- 2012

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Two female pigs were used for filming and were named Charlotte and Babe.”
• “Although set in Gaza, the film was primarily shot in Malta for logistical and safety reasons.”
• “The film was a co-production between France, Germany, and Belgium.”

🖥️ How to Watch When Pigs Have Wings?

As of late 2023 / early 2024, ‘When Pigs Have Wings’ may be available to rent or purchase digitally on platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu. Availability can vary by region and platform, so it’s recommended to check major digital movie stores for the most current options. Specific subscription streaming services carrying the film may change; consult popular services like Netflix, Hulu, or Max via a search or service like JustWatch for up-to-date streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed When Pigs Have Wings, you might like these similar films:

• The Band’s Visit (2007): Features Sasson Gabay in a lead role and uses humor and character-driven narrative to explore cultural encounters and the lives of ordinary people in the Middle East.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Follows a quirky, optimistic protagonist and their family navigating a series of absurd misadventures against challenging circumstances, focusing on resilience and the human spirit.
• Wag the Dog (1997): A dark comedy that uses absurdity and satire to comment on political manipulation and surreal situations arising from complex political landscapes.
• Jojo Rabbit (2019): Employs dark humor and a unique, fable-like approach to tackle a serious historical context and societal absurdities through the eyes of an unlikely protagonist.
• Life Is Beautiful (1997): Uses comedy and a determined protagonist’s efforts to maintain dignity and hope in the face of overwhelming, tragic circumstances, creating a poignant fable.

🛒 When Pigs Have Wings Related Products

• When Pigs Have Wings DVD / Blu-ray: Own a physical copy of this unique tragicomedy to revisit Jafaar’s misadventures anytime. Includes the full film in high definition.
• Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Primer: Explore the historical context and complexities behind the setting of the film, offering deeper insight into the characters’ circumstances.
• World Cinema Comedy Collection: Discover other acclaimed international comedies that blend humor with cultural or social commentary, similar to the style of ‘When Pigs Have Wings’.
• Ceramic Piggy Bank: A quirky collectible item inspired by the film’s central ‘star’. A humorous nod to the animal that causes all the trouble (and unexpected opportunity) for Jafaar.

🎧 Soundtrack

When Pigs Have Wings features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Le cochon de Gaza (Générique début)” – performed by Franck Lebon
• “La barque de Jafaar” – performed by Franck Lebon
• “Yelena” – performed by Franck Lebon
• “Le cochon dans la ville” – performed by Franck Lebon
• “La mort du cochon (Tentative 1)” – performed by Franck Lebon
• “La barque s’en va” – performed by Franck Lebon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Does “Die With A Smile” by Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga Sound Familiar? 🤔🎈#music #brunomars

Okay, get this – did you know the super catchy theme music from ‘Up’ might share a surprising melody with a recent hit song by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga? Check out this quick video breaking down the unexpected connection; I thought that was pretty wild when I heard it!

✨ Rate