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Paradise now...
Yesterday we watched 'Paradise now' a movie on a day in the life of 2 suicide bombers. I admit, I still am attracted to movies coming from Israel or Palestine.
PARADISE NOW" is the story of two young Palestinian men as they embark upon what may be the last 48 hours of their lives. On a typical day in the West Bank city of Nablus, where daily life grinds on amidst crushing poverty and the occasional rocket blast, we meet two childhood best friends, Saïd (Kais Nashef) and Khaled (Ali Suliman), who pass time drinking tea, smoking a hookah, and working dead-end menial jobs as auto mechanics.
Saïd is approached by middle-aged Jamal (Amer Hlehel), a point man for an unnamed Palestinian organization, who informs Saïd that he and Khaled have been chosen to carry out a strike in Tel Aviv. They have been chosen for this mission as a team, because each had expressed a wish that if either is to die a martyr, the other would want to die alongside his best friend.
"PARADISE NOW" follows two Palestinian childhood friends who have been recruited for a strike on Tel Aviv and focuses on their last days together. When they are intercepted at the Israeli border and separated from their handlers, a young woman who discovers their plan causes them to reconsider their actions.
I really wondered how this controversial movie would handle such a political theme.
I was silently surprised to see how the director really showed whole lot of reality and stupidity. On both sides.
And meanwhile it still had some hilarious scenes.
The story line is rather thin, and it is certainly a slow film but yet I never felt it during the movie.
When I left for Israel and for the Palestinian territories, I remember asking Yasser several times 'How can someone decide to give up life?'
After 2 years living over there I can say I think I understand how someone can come to such an act. For someone not having lived there, this movie truly gives a worthwhile insight.
Quote I remember best?: 'They manage to be the occupier and the victim in the same moment, ..., I cannot do but die and kill.'
Things that struck me: it is filmed in real places, and gives a really accurate view on how life is over there.
Feelings I remember myself: when crossing a checkpoint, you feel the humiliation and the hate growing inside yourself. The film reflects it well.
I had to smile when seeing Palestine on my screen, recalling reality in my head.
And how I long to go back.
To both sides...
Really worth seeing!
-When you rent the dvd do check the extra's like the making of. You'll see some difficulties they had making it.-
Technorati Tags: israel, movie, palestine, paradise now, review
Posted on September 3, 2007
in linklove, randomness
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Comments (1)
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I loved this movie also very much and for the same reason.
Posted by Alain De Bruyne | September 5, 2007 12:26 AMThe movie who is now in the theater 'The bubble' gives a good idea how impossible it is to live there and not been confronted with the political situation.