Witty glimpse at tedium of Israeli military service

American kids often have a raised-eyebrow reaction when they find out Israel has conscription: All citizens over 18 must serve with the Israel Defense Forces. Men for three years, women for two.

Although there are ways around it, military service is a fact of life there, so it's natural it would figure in dozens of home-brewed books, movies, and TV shows. The two men who return home after nearly two decades of imprisonment in Prisoners of War, the international hit that yielded Showtime's Homeland, were new, young conscripts when they were taken.

There is far less doom and gloom in Israeli writer-director Talya Lavie's feature debut, Zero Motivation, a delightful, sharp dramedy that skewers the topic from every angle imaginable. It garnered 12 nominations at Israel's version of the Oscars, winning six Ophir Awards.

And with good reason. Based on Lavie's own experiences with the IDF, the film is about two BFFs, Zohar (Dana Ivgy) and Daffi (Nelly Tagar) who can't stand their time in the army and spend most of their considerable resources trying to dodge work - not without the brass' considerable help. The women are sent to a base far from anything that might resemble the enemy. They don't spend their days honing their skills as sharpshooters or engaging in fierce, blood-splattered, full-contact Krav Maga bouts (you know, like in the movies).

Instead, they push paper in an unutterably boring administrative office. They type reports, wash their commanding officer's grease-stained uniform, and serve coffee at meetings held by the all-male top brass, who honor their service by staring at their behinds with lascivious intent.

In other words, Zero Motivation takes place in the same alternate universe occupied by the Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. - the  Dilbert ian torture chamber featured in The Office. Appropriately, the film is billed as a cross between the Steve Carell sitcom and the Goldie Hawn army satire Private Benjamin.

Mostly, our heroines sit around talking or harmonizing on their favorite pop songs. And they infuriate their superiors by pointing out their absurd situation.

In one terrific scene, one of the experienced female soldiers shows a newcomer where the office supplies are stored. She pauses for effect when she comes to the staple gun.

"The staple gun, the most precious thing in this office," she says with reverence.

"This sucker's lethal. Nothing else can hold up the posters."

Directed by Talya Lavie. With Dana Ivgy, Nelly Tagar, Shani Klein, Heli Twito. Distributed by Zeitgeist Films.

Running time: 1 hour, 30 mins.

Parent's guide: No MPAA rating (profanity, adult themes, sexuality).

Playing at: Ritz Bourse.

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