The award winning 2008 film, Hakol Mathil BaYam (It all Begins at Sea), tells the story of the Goldsteins, an Israeli Family coping with various life experiences friendship, love, sex and death. These experiences all involve a longing for expanding their family, along with the realization that they are destined to remain a threesome: Father, Mother and Son.
Their bitter-sweet story is told in three parts: The first episode takes place at the seaside. The second unfolds in the Ashkelon National Park, among the ancient statues, trees, and tall stone fortifications. The third takes us into the Goldsteins new home, where they moved to prepare for the birth of their baby girl, the new upcoming addition to the family. While getting to know this special family, the viewer encounters some unique characters that surround them and take various parts in their lives. Another character in this movie is fate, which plays tricks with the Goldsteins, making them unsure of whether they are blessed or cursed.
This dramatic comedy is not of a distinct Israeli nature. It could have taken place anywhere else in the world. But still, there is something very Israeli about those characters, and about the scenery that surrounds them. I admit: I first watched it because my brother plays a part there, but later on I watched it three more times. This movie touched me in many ways, and not because it is Israeli, but because it's real.