Cleopatra
20th April 2003, 12:19 PM
Last night I saw to the movies the film of the Palestinian Elia Suleiman, "Divine Intervention". This film won the prize of the Critics in last year's Film Festival of Cannes-France.
"Devine Intervention" ( from now on with the initials D.I.) is suppose to be a commedy, a commedy about the tragic life of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.
Elia Suleiman's father, was murdered by the Israeli Army. To be exact he was tortured to death. I mention this just to show where he is coming from.
The hero, lives in Jerusalem and he has a father whose small enterprize ( in nazareth) collapsed. He is also related to a woman who lives in Ramalah but she can't visit him in Jerusalem, because of the restrictions that are imposed to the Palestinians, so, each day, they meet to the check point that leads from Jerusalem to Ramalah.
This is his everyday life. Visiting the father to the Hospital and his girl to the check-point.
BUT, as somebody who has genuinly felt pain, he can't experience hatred...he refuses to get into the black or white logic or to the logic of blind hatred.
These are for those who live far away from Israel and have the luxury to get passionate about things...
I didn't expect a Palestinian to be so sarcastic towards his people. He presents them as being indifferent to anything other than their cars... drinking arak and smoking American cigarettes.
On the other hand, the Israelis are depicted as idiots, who do nothing but holding a gun all day and without knowing why... ( partly true of course)
What I found interesting though was his suggestion to the issue. He is against the blind violence of his compatriots but he "warns" Israelis that there will be a day that they will take the violence back...
I don't know if the film is screened in the States but if it is, don't miss it!
"D.I" is a good lesson for those who get passionate about Middle East without having step their foot on this land...
"Devine Intervention" ( from now on with the initials D.I.) is suppose to be a commedy, a commedy about the tragic life of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.
Elia Suleiman's father, was murdered by the Israeli Army. To be exact he was tortured to death. I mention this just to show where he is coming from.
The hero, lives in Jerusalem and he has a father whose small enterprize ( in nazareth) collapsed. He is also related to a woman who lives in Ramalah but she can't visit him in Jerusalem, because of the restrictions that are imposed to the Palestinians, so, each day, they meet to the check point that leads from Jerusalem to Ramalah.
This is his everyday life. Visiting the father to the Hospital and his girl to the check-point.
BUT, as somebody who has genuinly felt pain, he can't experience hatred...he refuses to get into the black or white logic or to the logic of blind hatred.
These are for those who live far away from Israel and have the luxury to get passionate about things...
I didn't expect a Palestinian to be so sarcastic towards his people. He presents them as being indifferent to anything other than their cars... drinking arak and smoking American cigarettes.
On the other hand, the Israelis are depicted as idiots, who do nothing but holding a gun all day and without knowing why... ( partly true of course)
What I found interesting though was his suggestion to the issue. He is against the blind violence of his compatriots but he "warns" Israelis that there will be a day that they will take the violence back...
I don't know if the film is screened in the States but if it is, don't miss it!
"D.I" is a good lesson for those who get passionate about Middle East without having step their foot on this land...