Scaffolding

The Israeli film "Scaffolding" takes a line of blue-collar work and turns it into a metaphor for how anyone can elevate his or her own understanding, assuming they have the inclination – and, just as crucially, the opportunity and the permission – to do so.

Asher (Asher Lev), an underperforming 17-year-old student, is "prickly," in the words of his literature teacher. But he has his reasons: His mother now lives in another city with a new boyfriend and his father, Milo (Yaacov Cohen), veers erratically between joviality and bad temper, with occasional flashes of tenderness.

More reliable than his words of reassurance are Milo's critiques of Asher's study habits, spotty as they may be. Milo's main argument? The 50 shekel note bears the likeness of a great poet. Literature, he declares, is dead, or anyway it might as well be. In any case, Milo asks, what use has his son for it when he's set to take over the family business? "Will you ever read a book?" Milo demands.

But one of Asher's teachers, Rami (Ami Smolartchik) – the same one who called him "prickly" – offers another way of looking at the world. Life is often confusing and full of contradictions, just as Asher is full of poorly controlled impulses; literature can help us figure things out, and might give Asher insights into how to be more patient and understanding toward himself and others.

Pressured by his father, but intrigued by what he sees Rami talking about and modeling in his own conduct, Asher struggles to find his own way. It's not easy; he's the sort who's more comfortable tussling with other boys, or pursuing his desires with bravado and a raised voice. Impatient with everything – especially with adults and their boring expectations of responsibility – Asher chafes at every restraint. But there's more to his potential than scurrying around on scaffolds and chasing construction gigs, and he's starting to know it; what's more, he can tell that Rami sees his potential, too.

But then a senseless loss knocks Asher even more out of equilibrium. Angry and bereft, he searches to put himself back on track, but the only one who can do that for him is himself, and Asher's not sure he's up to the task.

Writer-director Matan Yahir used his own experiences as a teacher working with difficult students as an inspiration for this film, and Asher, it happens, is not only roughly modeled on one of his students but is, in fact, played by that same young man (not so young any more, and obviously too old for the part – but you forgive this quickly, as the movie's spell takes hold).

Yahir clearly knows his subject matter, and has crafted a film that's sympathetic to its main character without sanitizing him. For his part, Asher Lev plays the character that's based on and named after him with raw intelligence and a compelling screen magnetism.

This DVD might be coming to the American market thanks to Breaking Glass Pictures, a purveyor of LGBTQ films, but don't come to "Scaffolding" expecting a gah romance or coming of age story. Asher seems to be straight; but set aside expectations that a gay twist or revelation is coming, and just enjoy the film for what it is: The story of a boy figuring out how to be a man, and filling in the gaps left by the imperfect, disparate male figures in his life.

"Scaffolding"
DVD
$19.99
https://www.bgpics.com/movies/scaffolding/