Monday, May 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica
On the eve of a religious holiday, army reservist Erez Eshel visits one of his sons, a soldier along his nation’s border. Before Eshel leaves that night, he feels a change in the air and warns his son, “Be prepared. Something big is going to happen tomorrow. Stay alert.” At 6:30 am the next morning, Erez gets the call he foretold: “Dad, we are at war.” 55-year-old Erez throws on his decades old uniform and returns to battle alongside his sons, clashing with the enemy long before the rest of the army arrives. For four days, he slaughters invaders while also saving many lives. Then, covered in blood and consumed by both pain and a deep love for his homeland, he embarks on a journey to confront the reality that brought his nation to the darkest day in its history, to refortify it, and to reexamine every one of his beliefs along the way. This is the story of Erez Eshel, and his journey from childhood to hopeful 20-year-old commander in training, to 55-year-old father and battle worn warrior. The 1990 documentary, TO BE AN OFFICER, which starred Eshel 35 years ago, is pulled from the archives and spliced between present day scenes, laying bare the stark contrast between Erez, hopeful officer in training dreaming of his nation united and at peace, and Colonel Eshel, hardened killing machine. It is the story of how his country became the nation in the news today, but it asks bigger, universal questions so many countries are facing today: What does it take to defend any country – what is the price of freedom, and who is really willing to pay?