Directed by Israeli Yuval Adler, who co-wrote the script with Muslim Palestinian journalist Ali Waked, the film revolves around the bond that develops between an Israeli secret service officer and his young Palestinian informant, Sanfur. Response to the film has been positive in the Palestinian territories, Adler tells france24.com: “I’ve had Israelis tell me: ‘The Palestinian character may be a terrorist, but when I see his father crying over him, it breaks my heart and it confuses me.’ That’s the kind of thing the film can provoke. I think it can transcend the one-sidedness you can sometimes get on this issue.”
Bethlehem won the top prize at the 2013 Venice Film Festival and was the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards.