Paradise Now - Two days in the West Bank
Paradise Now is an utterly unique film. Directed and co-written by Hany Abu-Assad, an Israeli Arab, the riveting story revolves around the lives of two friends, two potential suicide bombers, Said and Khaled. When they are chosen for a suicide mission Abu-Assad takes the viewer on an intense exploration into their emotions as they prepare for the mission against the backdrop of their impoverished homes and the dilipidated, strangely beautiful West Bank city of Nablus.
The viewer is forced to enter the gut-wrenching psyche of the bomber which is an unusually uncomfortable undertaking. Sympathisers of Israel will find much to criticise but the depiction of life in the West Bank under occupation and the thoughts and words of the suicide bombers provides a powerful and compelling insight into the plight of the Palestinians and the motivation which drives suicide bombers. This is not to say that the film is overtly critical of Israel. In fact, the story steers clear of the politics of the Middle East and it plays out like a psychological drama. Several of the key characters display ambivalent and antagonist feelings towards the wastefullness of the act of suicide bombing even though they are revered as matyrs within the Occupied Territories.
There are many poignant and comedic moments but the most memorable is Said's monologue explaining his reasons for embarking on the suicide mission.
At times the editing is somewhat disjointed but the overall impact is profound. The way the film ends is particularly effective leaving the viewer shaken. The cinematography is visually captivating and I think this is one for the big screen rather than waiting for the DVD.
It is ground-breaking since it portrays suicide bombing and life in the West Bank as never before on the near-mainstream movie circuit; the mindset, the rituals, the torn emotions of a suicide bomber and their sense of hopelessness. The film in the final analysis portrays suicide bombing as an unnatural act borne out of utter and overwhelming frustration and desperation.
The viewer is forced to enter the gut-wrenching psyche of the bomber which is an unusually uncomfortable undertaking. Sympathisers of Israel will find much to criticise but the depiction of life in the West Bank under occupation and the thoughts and words of the suicide bombers provides a powerful and compelling insight into the plight of the Palestinians and the motivation which drives suicide bombers. This is not to say that the film is overtly critical of Israel. In fact, the story steers clear of the politics of the Middle East and it plays out like a psychological drama. Several of the key characters display ambivalent and antagonist feelings towards the wastefullness of the act of suicide bombing even though they are revered as matyrs within the Occupied Territories.
There are many poignant and comedic moments but the most memorable is Said's monologue explaining his reasons for embarking on the suicide mission.
At times the editing is somewhat disjointed but the overall impact is profound. The way the film ends is particularly effective leaving the viewer shaken. The cinematography is visually captivating and I think this is one for the big screen rather than waiting for the DVD.
It is ground-breaking since it portrays suicide bombing and life in the West Bank as never before on the near-mainstream movie circuit; the mindset, the rituals, the torn emotions of a suicide bomber and their sense of hopelessness. The film in the final analysis portrays suicide bombing as an unnatural act borne out of utter and overwhelming frustration and desperation.
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