# Dizengoff 99

Dizengoff 99 (Hebrew: דיזנגוף 99) is a 1979 Israeli comedy-drama film written and directed by Avi Nesher and starring Gali Atari, Gidi Gov, Meir Suissa, and Anat Atzmon. The film, considered a cult classic, describes the way of life around Dizengoff Street and how it changed over the years. Filmed in Tel Aviv, it was released in Israel and the United States as "Dizengoff 99," and in West Germany as "Three Under the Roof" (German: Drei unter'm Dach).

## Plot

The film is about two guys, Natti (Gidi Gov), and Moshon (Meir Suissa), and a girl Ossi (Anat Atzmon) who live together in an apartment at 99 Dizengoff Street, Nightlife center of Tel Aviv. Ossi works for an insurance company and the three of them decide to make a movie using stolen equipment. While they are making movies, they are also having numerous romantic encounters, and having a good time.

## About the film

"Dizengoff 99" is Avi Nesher's second film, produced after the success of his movie "The Band" (which also starred Gidi Gov, Meir Swissa, and Gali Atari). The film is apparently based on a personal chapter in the life of screenwriter-director Avi Nesher, after he completed his military service and rented an apartment on Dizengoff Street with Yitzhak Tzachik (the editor of this film and other films by Nesher) and Dita Aviram (who became the film's artistic consultant).
The film was highly successful at the box office upon its release. In hindsight, it serves as a window into the youth culture of that era, which also significantly influences today's culture. Additionally, Nesher and his partner, Sharon Harel, were committed to documenting everything that was trendy at the time, from disco to pop singers, whose songs form the film's diverse soundtrack. Some of the notable hits include "To Live with Him" performed by Riki Gal, "Tzlil Mekuvan" by Yitzhak Klepter, "Long Way" by Gali Atari, "Friday Party" by Tzvika Pick, "Layla Li" by Yorik Ben-David, and "Moving House" by Dori Ben-Zeev. The theme song was performed by Yigal Bashan.
In the famous sex scene, director Avi Nesher incorporated the song "Shalva" from the soundtrack of "The Band" (which he had directed the previous year and featured many of the same stars, including Gov, Atari, Swissa, Ankori, and Goldenberg). This scene, considered bold for Israeli cinema at the time, caused discomfort among many viewers. Atari later commented on the erotic scene in which she appeared with a bare chest, saying she did not like it (due to its explicit nature) and that, if she had the budget, she would buy every copy of the film and destroy them. This statement led to a conflict between Atari and Nesher, although shortly after, Atari retracted her words.
In another scene, Nati (Gidi Gov) attempts to write a script titled "The Cowards," which would eventually become the title of Avi Nesher's next film in real life

## Production

Dizengoff 99 is Avi Nesher's second film, and was produced after the success of his first movie, The Troupe (HaLahaka) a year earlier in 1978. Both movies are considered Israeli classics today. Between 2003 and 2016, 99 Dizengoff Street was home to Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv, which offers tours of Tel Aviv's Bauhaus architecture (see White City (Tel Aviv)).
In a 2006 article, it was written that today, Atari thinks her scene from the movie is a black hole in her career that she would rather forget.

## Soundtrack

A soundtrack was released to this movie, called "Dizengoff 99" and is filled with notable Israeli artists.
* Dizengoff 99 - Yigal Bashan
* Mesibat Yom Shishi - Tzvika Pick
* Lagur Ito - Riki Gal
* Ovrim Dira - Dori Ben Zeev
* Rok B'Or Yarok - Arik Sinai
* Ein Li Zman Lihiyot Atzuv - Rami Fortis
* Tzlil Mekhuvan - Yitzhak Klepter
* Leyad HaDelet - Yehudit Ravitz
* Lailah Li - Yorik Ben David
* Bein HaRe'ashim - David Broza
* Ad Eizeh Gil - Dani Litani
* Derekh Aruka - Gali Atari

## Cast

* Gali Atari — Miri
* Gidi Gov — Natti
* Meir Suissa [he] — Moshon
* Anat Atzmon — Ossi
* Chelli Goldenberg — Ilana