The Fox in the Chicken Coop

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Based on Ephraim Kishon’s satirical book by the same name, The Fox in the Chicken Coop (Hebrew: Ha Shu'al B'Lool Hatarnagalot) is a 1978 Israeli film directed by Kishon. It features many prominent israely actors of the time, most notably Shaike Ophir and Seffy Rivlin. The film takes a satirical, comic look at the old generation of Israeli politicians.

[edit] Plot

Amitz Dolniker, an aging Israeli Parliament member known for his high-winded babbling and tireless lecturing, is told he needs to take a break from politics after he colapses during a lecture. He decides to spend a few weeks in a deserted, backward Israeli village that has little contact with civilization. The farmers’ bucolic and carefree life repels him at first (and especially the fact that they have never heard of him), but then he decides to introduce some “order” to the innocent society. As none of the villagers agree to become the village head (they don’t want the trouble), Dolniker hires a local horse and buggy and puts it at the service of the village barber, declaring him village head de-facto. The barber objects at first, but as he becomes used to the perks that come along with the position, his grip on power tightens. This leads to a rivalry with other villagers (especially the cobler) who think themselves equaly worthy of becoming the village head (with free horse-and-buggy, of course), which is what Dolniker has expected. He suggests an election to determine the leader. The result, however, bears no resemblance to the ordely political process he is used to, and Dolniker finds himself entangled in silly power struggles, taxes imposed on 3-door closets, corruption, petty bureocracy, and a ruination of the simple way of life the village once knew.