Chapter 4. Horror in the IDF
Zombies in the Fatigues: Poisoned and Cannon FodderÂ
Like several New Israeli Horror films, Cannon Fodder (aka Battle of the Undead, 2013) by Eitan Gafny, deals with the army and militarism. It is both a tribute to and parody of classic action and zombie movies. When an elite commando unit is sent to Lebanon on a mission, they have a lot more then Hezbollah to worry about. The secret weapon that a corrupt Israeli general ordered, turns everyone, Lebanese and Israelis alike, into zombies…
Questions for discussion
- Which horror tropes and conventions can you identify in Cannon Fodder? Which films does it remind you of?
- What characterizes Cannon Fodder as an Israeli film? You may think of the plot, themes, or settings.
- What is the relationship between the local Israeli characteristics and the global horror tropes in Cannon Fodder? What do zombies mean in the Israeli context?
- What was the production history of Cannon Fodder? How did it impact the film?
- What was its audience and critical reception?
Availability
Streaming as Battle of the Undead on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Apple TV, and other platforms