film

Luckily, Osit knew precisely what to do with the extraordinary material he captured.

A disarming subject, Hadid comes across as a cleareyed, forthright leader. But "Mayor" also stands out because Osit has thought it through in cinematic terms...

More background on Hadid's earlier life and political ascendance would have also been welcome. Still, "Mayor" proves a unique, involving and edifying experience.

It's an acutely observed you-are-there procedural about a modern metropolis that dares to exist, even thrive amid the enduring repercussions of 1967's Six-Day War, when Israel occupied the region.

Deft editing and unexpectedly affecting music choices make for an engaging portrait of the kind of impassioned and dedicated politician who seems in short supply right now.

Smart, yet somewhat one-sided and process-orientated portrait of a man and his municipality.

In its gently ironic way, the film depicts an urban centre keen to be treated, and run, as a genuine place to live, a town like any other.

The film lets you appreciate Hadid's delicate and complex situation.

The documentary, to me, seemed to be balanced and observational.

While understated and deeply personal, Mayor cannot avoid the current conflagration in the region.