Greetings again from the darkness. It happened on October 7, 2023. Hamas attacked. People were killed. Hostages were taken. A war began or rather was reignited. Documentarian Brandon Kramer (THE FIRST STEP, 2021) details each of these and chooses to focus on the plight of one family. We all know about the still ongoing (and escalated) violence between Israel and the Palestinians (more than 75 years now) on the West Bank, and Kramer’s attention to one family makes this personal, emotional, and frightening.
Liat Beinen (a Holocaust history teacher and American citizen) and her husband Aviv Atzilli were among the 250 taken hostage during that October 7 siege. The film crew picks up with Liat’s father Yehuda and her mother Chaya two weeks after the attack as they desperately long for information about whether their daughter and son-in-law are still alive. It’s interesting to note that both families have been critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu, but mostly their frustration is on his lack of effort in bringing home hostages … rather than seizing the political opportunity afforded.
Yehuda is quite adept in front of a camera and in speaking his mind. In fact, he and his daughter Taj travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. politicians in hopes of making this an American issue. It’s a strategy that may have worked, although mostly what we see are Congressmen saying very little of substance. Yehuda is not interested in playing the game. He is blunt in his observations and criticisms, and makes it clear that he wants his daughter released and returned. We feel pain alongside the family as names are read for each hostage release.
Kramer notes the weeks as they pass, as well as whatever information the family receives from the military. The stress levels and frustrations are palpable and understandable. Even while watching, we struggle to understand the emotions of the family – or their strength. The family does express appreciation to President Biden, though it’s quite clear their lives will never be the same. The film offers us much, and regardless of one’s political affiliation, the pain and tragedy caused by war should be a united stance.
Available on VOD beginning October 2, 2026
Interesting reviews as always. I don’t normally take any interest in documentaries but your review has given me a reason to check this one out. I have always taken a keen interest in Israel and the war-torn conflict the country has faced. This review brought to mind great movies about Israel and its history of conflict that I have seen. For instance, it reminded me about the movie “Munich”. Released in 2005, Steven Spielberg’s movie offered a powerful portrait of the Munich Olympics bombings. Similar to the movie you discussed in this review, “Munich” also captured terrorism. One of my favourite films about terrorism. As someone that takes an interest in Israel’s conflict, I have a feeling I will admire “Holding Liat”. So, for these reasons, I will check it out on VOD.
Here are my thoughts on “Munich”: