Cert PG
89 mins
BBFC advice: Mild violence
Who would have thought that an inroad into the Palestinian-Israeli conflict could come in the form of a children's ballroom dance competition?
D'hilla Medalia's thoroughly charming Dancing In Jaffa shows that it has built bridges in a way which nobody could have imagined.
Actually, that's not quite true. Teacher Pierre Dulaine, who was born in the city before the Israeli state was founded in 1948, clearly thought it was possible.
That is why he returned to the city to introduce this very conventional western style of dance to children who had never seen it before.
And he not only insisted that very reluctant boys should dance with girls but also that the pairs should be made up of Arabs and Jews.
You don't need to know much about Middle Eastern politics to know that this was no easy task.
In fact, Dulaine's project looked likely to be thwarted in its infancy because of the huge cultural barriers.
But, the one advantage that he has had is that he has been working with children and they are always likely to find a way where adults can't.
Dancing with Jaffa follows Dulaine as he suffers frustration after frustration before making small and then giant breakthroughs.
It also alights upon individual children from very different backgrounds and yet, it transpires, with very similar desires and needs.
The transformation in their confidence and outlook is startling and Dulaine should be very proud.
Director D'hilla Medalia: "I was born in Israel and have made some films about the conflict but I wanted to tell the story of the Palestinians who are living in Israel."
Reasons to watch: A very unusual and charming take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Reasons to avoid: Skirts around some important detail
Laughs: three
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 8/10