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Hunting Elephants (2015) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Hunting Elephants (2015) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 107 min · Hebrew
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Directed by
Reshef Levi

In Jerusalem, three elderly men and a young accomplice devise a surprising plan: to rob a bank. Driven by personal circumstances and a shared sense of adventure, the unlikely quartet navigates the challenges of their audacious scheme. The caper unfolds with humor and suspense, demonstrating that age doesn't have to limit one's pursuit of a daring feat.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Hunting Elephants
  9. 9 Every angle
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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Hunting Elephants Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Hunting Elephants (2015), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Yonatan (Gil Blank)

    Yonatan is a talented young boy caught in a tumultuous situation, facing bullying at school and a strained relationship with his father. His journey to seek justice for his father's death reveals his resilience and determination. Through his experiences, he learns the value of family and the lengths one must go to protect those they love.

    • 👦 Young
    • 💔 Resilient
    • 🎓 Talented
  • Dedi (Moshe Ivgy)

    Dedi is the callous bank manager who represents the bureaucratic obstacles that Yonatan's family must confront. His indifference towards their tragedy highlights the emotional detachment prevalent in corporate environments. As a foil to the protagonists, he embodies the challenges faced when seeking accountability within a flawed system.

    • 🏢 Corporate
    • ❌ Unfeeling
    • 😠 Adversarial
  • Eliahu (Sasson Gabai)

    Eliahu is Yonatan's estranged grandfather who provides a unique perspective on family and loss. Despite his own challenges, including his wife's comatose state, he becomes an unexpected ally to Yonatan. His character emphasizes the importance of intergenerational relationships and the wisdom that comes from lived experiences.

    • 👴 Elderly
    • ❤️ Supportive
    • 🤝 Resourceful
  • Lord Michael Simpson (Patrick Stewart)

    Lord Michael Simpson is a washed-up actor drawn into the narrative as he seeks redemption and financial stability. His character's journey intertwines with Yonatan's quest for justice, showcasing how personal struggles can lead to unexpected collaborations. He represents the desperation that can drive individuals to unite for a common cause.

    • 🎭 Actor
    • 🎩 Troubled
    • 🤔 Reflective

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 19:28

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8 characters · 11 connections · contains spoilers

Hunting Elephants Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Hunting Elephants: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
YYonatanDDediEEliahuLMLord MichaelSimpsonDDanielYYaelNNickRRhoda

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 19:28

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Setting

Where and When Does Hunting Elephants Take Place?

The setting of Hunting Elephants (2015): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Modern Day

The events of the movie occur in modern times, reflecting contemporary issues such as bullying in schools and the challenges faced by families in distress. The setting allows for a relatable exploration of the characters' struggles and their desire for justice in a fast-paced world.

Location

Bank, Nursing Home

The movie primarily takes place in a bank, a location central to the tragic events surrounding Yonatan's father's death. The nursing home serves as another significant backdrop, where Yonatan's grandfather resides, providing an emotional landscape of family ties and aging. Together, these locations highlight themes of loss, family, and the struggle for justice.

  • 🏦 Bank
  • 🏥 Nursing Home

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 19:28

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3 major themes

Hunting Elephants Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Hunting Elephants (2015) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Justice

    Justice is a central theme as Yonatan seeks retribution for his father's untimely death caused by circumstances beyond their control. The story examines how individuals cope with injustice and their quest to reclaim dignity in the face of adversity. It highlights the lengths to which one would go to seek closure and rectify wrongs.

  • Familial Bonds

    The film explores the complexities of familial relationships, showcasing the bonds between Yonatan and his mother as they navigate loss together. Additionally, the relationship with his grandfather adds depth, portraying the layers of family dynamics and support in trying times. It emphasizes the importance of connection in the face of tragedy.

  • Identity

    The theme of identity plays a significant role as Yonatan grapples with bullying and expectation at school. This internal conflict is mirrored by Lord Michael Simpson's struggles as a washed-up actor, both seeking to reclaim their sense of self. Their journeys highlight the impact of external perceptions on personal growth and resilience.

Last updated: October 28, 2026 at 19:28

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Character & theme questions

Hunting Elephants Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Hunting Elephants (2015): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Hunting Elephants set?

The movie primarily takes place in two key locations: a bank in Jerusalem and a nursing home where Yonatan's grandfather resides. The bank is central to the story's heist plot, while the nursing home provides an emotional backdrop exploring family ties and aging.

  • jerusalem
  • locations
  • bank
  • nursing home
  • setting
Q2

What time period does Hunting Elephants take place in?

The film is set in modern day, reflecting contemporary issues like school bullying and family struggles. This contemporary setting allows the story to explore its themes of justice and resilience in a relatable, fast-paced world.

  • modern day
  • time period
  • contemporary setting
Q3

What are the main themes in Hunting Elephants?

The movie explores three primary themes: justice as Yonatan seeks retribution for his father's death, familial bonds highlighting the relationships between Yonatan, his mother, and his grandfather, and identity as characters grapple with external perceptions and personal growth.

  • themes
  • justice
  • family bonds
  • identity
Q4

Who is Yonatan in Hunting Elephants?

Yonatan is a talented young boy who becomes the driving force of the story after his father's death. Facing bullying at school and seeking justice, he teams up with unlikely allies to pull off a bank robbery, demonstrating resilience and determination throughout the film.

  • yonatan
  • main character
  • young boy
  • protagonist
Q5

Who is Lord Michael Simpson in Hunting Elephants?

Lord Michael Simpson is a washed-up actor portrayed by Patrick Stewart who gets drawn into the heist plot. Seeking redemption and financial stability, he teams up with Yonatan, representing how desperation can lead to unexpected collaborations across generations.

  • lord michael simpson
  • patrick stewart
  • actor
  • washed up
Q6

Who is Eliahu in Hunting Elephants?

Eliahu is Yonatan's estranged grandfather who resides in the nursing home. Despite his own challenges, including his comatose wife, he becomes an unexpected ally to Yonatan, providing intergenerational wisdom and emphasizing the importance of family connections during difficult times.

  • eliahu
  • grandfather
  • nursing home
  • family
Q7

Who is Dedi in Hunting Elephants?

Dedi is the callous bank manager who represents the bureaucratic obstacles Yonatan's family must confront. His indifference toward their tragedy highlights the emotional detachment in corporate environments, serving as a foil to the protagonists' quest for accountability.

  • dedi
  • bank manager
  • antagonist
  • corporate
Q8

What does the theme of justice mean in Hunting Elephants?

The theme of justice drives the narrative as Yonatan seeks retribution for his father's untimely death. The film examines how individuals cope with injustice and their quest to reclaim dignity, highlighting the lengths one would go to seek closure and rectify wrongs.

  • justice
  • retribution
  • fairness
  • accountability
Q9

How does Hunting Elephants explore family relationships?

The film deeply explores familial bonds through Yonatan's relationship with his mother as they navigate loss together, and with his grandfather who provides wisdom from lived experience. These intergenerational connections emphasize the importance of family support in overcoming tragedy.

  • family
  • relationships
  • intergenerational
  • bonds
Q10

What is the tone of Hunting Elephants?

Despite dealing with the sad event of a father's death, the film has a predominantly light tone due to its comedic crime genre. The heist premise is executed with humor and suspense, creating a hopeful and clever adventure that builds toward a happy, uplifting conclusion.

  • tone
  • comedy
  • humor
  • mood
  • genre
Q11

Why are the bank and nursing home significant locations?

The bank serves as the central location for both the tragic events surrounding Yonatan's father's death and the subsequent heist. The nursing home represents family ties and aging, creating an emotional landscape that highlights themes of loss, family, and the struggle for justice.

  • bank
  • nursing home
  • locations
  • symbolism

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hunting Elephants, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hunting Elephants tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Underdog Heist Comedies like Hunting Elephants

Clever, humorous capers pulled off by unlikely teams against the odds. If you liked the clever, humorous bank robbery in Hunting Elephants, you'll enjoy these movies featuring unlikely teams pulling off daring capers. Find more films with witty underdog stories, ingenious plans, and feel-good triumphs against the odds.

  • humorous
  • witty
  • adventurous
  • cathartic
  • clever
  • unlikely team
  • Tone: light, humorous, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, plan-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a straightforward plan-to-execution structure, centered on a single, audacious goal. Character dynamics drive the story, with the team forming bonds and overcoming personal hurdles. The journey is filled with humorous obstacles, culminating in a clever and uplifting resolution that rewards the underdogs.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared light tone, steady pacing, and focus on ingenious schemes executed by lovable misfits. They blend comedy with a sense of adventure and deliver a cathartic, happy ending that celebrates wit and camaraderie.

Movies about Intergenerational Friendship like Hunting Elephants

Heartfelt stories where disparate generations unite to form an unlikely family. Fans of Hunting Elephants will appreciate these stories of cross-generational bonds. Discover movies where older and younger characters form unexpected friendships and found families, blending humor with heartfelt emotional connections.

  • heartfelt
  • uplifting
  • humorous
  • found family
  • intergenerational
  • adventurous
  • Tone: light, heartfelt, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot often revolves around a central project or adventure that brings the characters together. The narrative arc focuses on breaking down initial barriers, learning from each other's experiences, and achieving a collective goal. The emotional journey moves from individual isolation or grief to a shared, uplifting camaraderie.

Why they belong together: These films share a medium emotional weight balanced by a light, humorous tone. They feature steady pacing driven by character development and deliver a heartfelt, uplifting conclusion centered on the theme of connection and found family.

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Movies Like Hunting Elephants

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Every angle

Hunting Elephants (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Hunting Elephants in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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