The Sea (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The Red Sea Diving Resort is located along the Sudanese coast. It serves as both a tourist destination and a covert base for the Israeli rescue mission. The resort's peaceful, leisure-oriented atmosphere provides the perfect cover for the dangerous refugee evacuation operation happening behind the scenes, creating a stark contrast between the world of tourists and the life-or-death work of the operatives.

• red sea diving resort
• sudan
• setting
• location
• covert operation

The movie takes place in 1979 during a humanitarian crisis in the late 20th century. This was a period of significant political upheaval in the region, with political instability and conflict affecting Sudan and the broader African continent. The time period is essential to understanding the dangers faced by the rescue team and the urgency of their mission.

• 1979
• time period
• 1970s
• historical setting
• humanitarian crisis

The film centers on humanitarianism as its core theme, showcasing a team of Israeli operatives dedicated to rescuing Jewish-Ethiopian refugees trapped in war-torn Sudan. The movie emphasizes the moral obligation to intervene in global crises and demonstrates the extraordinary lengths individuals will go to save lives, often at great personal risk. This theme elevates the story beyond a simple rescue mission to explore the depths of human compassion and commitment.

• humanitarianism
• theme
• rescue
• refugees
• moral obligation
• compassion

Deception is central to the plot as the team must maintain a elaborate facade to execute their rescue plan. The resort serves as a mask for covert operations, with the mundane activities of tourists and staff hiding the dangerous work of evacuating refugees. This theme explores the moral complexities faced by the operatives, who must lie and deceive to achieve justice, highlighting the sacrifices made in desperate situations.

• deception
• theme
• facade
• covert operation
• morality
• moral complexity

Ari Levinson is an Israeli Mossad agent portrayed by Rufus Sewell. He is the strategic mastermind behind the daring rescue operation, using his resourcefulness and bravery to devise a plan that utilizes the defunct Red Sea Diving Resort as a cover. Ari embodies resilience and leadership, making critical decisions under extreme pressure that directly impact the success of the mission and the safety of the refugees.

• ari levinson
• mossad agent
• protagonist
• leader
• Rufus Sewell

Rachel Reiter, played by Natascha McElhone, is a former Mossad ally who joins the rescue mission. She exemplifies courage and quick thinking, demonstrated during critical moments throughout the operation. Her character reflects the strength and resolve of individuals fighting for justice and safety, motivated by a deep commitment to helping the refugees survive the humanitarian crisis.

• rachel reiter
• mossad
• ally
• Natascha McElhone
• courage

Sudan during the late 1970s was characterized by political upheaval and conflict, making it a dangerous environment for refugee operations. The country was experiencing instability that contributed to the humanitarian crisis affecting Jewish-Ethiopian refugees. This volatile backdrop adds significant risk to the rescue mission, as the operatives must navigate not only wartime dangers but also the ever-present threat of exposure and conflict with local authorities.

• sudan
• political context
• conflict
• refugees
• 1970s africa

The team uses the Red Sea Diving Resort as cover because it provides a believable front that allows them to operate in Sudan without raising suspicion. A functioning tourist resort attracts visitors and creates normalcy, which masks the covert activities necessary for evacuating refugees. This strategic use of deception allows the operatives to work in enemy territory while maintaining the appearance of legitimacy.

• resort cover
• covert operation
• strategy
• disguise
• mission

The film creates tension by juxtaposing the peaceful, tourist-friendly environment of the Red Sea Diving Resort with the harsh realities of war-torn Sudan. This contrast serves both thematic and narrative purposes, highlighting the absurdity of operating a leisure destination amid crisis while also emphasizing the stakes of the secret operation. The tension between these worlds drives the film's sense of danger and urgency.

• contrast
• war
• leisure
• setting
• tension
• atmosphere

The movie centers on Jewish-Ethiopian refugees, also known as Beta Israel, who were trapped in Sudan during the 1970s and 1980s. These refugees faced persecution and danger in their homeland and sought asylum in Sudan, which was experiencing its own political turmoil. The rescue mission represents a historic effort to save this community, highlighting a real historical humanitarian operation that brought thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

• jewish-ethiopian refugees
• beta israel
• sudan
• immigration
• historical context