Newland

(ERETZ HADASHA) ((ISRAELI))

Produced by Chaim Sharir. Directed by Orna Ben-Dor Niv. Screenplay, Kobi Niv.

Anna ... Ania Bukstein
Jan ... Michael Phelman
Roza ... Eti Ankri
Malul ... Shuli Rand
Bardugo ... Rami Dannon
Zadiko ... Asher Zarfati

This first feature by award-winning docu-maker Orna Ben-Dor Niv fails to convince in its glossy tale about plucky orphans and transit camps in 1949 Israel. Preferring photogenic tykes and TV-style plotting to realism, with an occasional bout of fantasy thrown in, "Newland" might find a niche on the small screen.

Two beautiful children, 8-year-old Anna (Ania Bukstein) and her older brother Jan (Michael Phelman), have been separated from their parents during the war, which sent them across half of Europe. They arrive in Israel on an immigrant boat, hoping to locate their mother.

The hardships of the transit camp and terrifying memories of the war are lightened by the camaraderie of the immigrants. There is an upright young man who has lost his wife, a couple expecting a baby, a sick old prof cared for by his young Catholic wife.

There are also bad elements, like the small-time gangsters who prostitute young girls and steal food. Anna, who longs for her mother and refuses to speak, and Jan, determined to forge his way in the world and never look back, are united in their misery.

Then, Jan finds a job on a neighboring kibbutz. Too young to come with him, Anna now finds herself alone in the camp, which is closing down, with only her teddy bear for company and solace.

Containing more than one nod to Hollywood, "Newland" is so packed with stereotyped characters and situations, it never gets off the ground -- until the kids literally fly off with their teddy bear in an ending that's a cross between "E.T." and "Peter Pan."

Perfs are standard but acceptable.

Camera (color), Amnon Zlayet; editor, Einat Glazer; music, Uri Widislavssi. Reviewed at Jerusalem Film Festival, July 7, 1994. Running time: 105 MIN.

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