Having been a recent visitor to Auschwitz, I was left with one question after watching this stunning film: How could Jewish people let the Palestinian disaster happen?
I have also been to Dachau and Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. These are terribly sombre places - where one reflects on the evils done to the Jews across the world during and leading up to the Second World War.
Some of the images of those places will live with me forever.
And yet, I suspect some of the scenes from Five Broken Cameras will live with me as long.
The subjects of this film are treated as sub-humans - their property is invaded by thug-like soldiers who bully, harass and even shoot, seemingly without a thought.
In this case the oppressed are Palestinians and the jackboot comes from the Israelis.
Of course, Israelis will argue that Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi's film is mere propaganda. The Palestinians clearly want to promote their cause - which is a non-violent struggle to keep Israeli settlers out of their land.
But the footage is unequivocal. At one point a Palestinian is held while an Israeli soldier shoots him in the leg at point blank range. Another scene is even worse.
If the soldiers' actions are shocking, I was even more taken aback by those of apparently devout Jews.
These are the ones who are deliberately settling on disputed lands, causing inevitable hardship for the Palestinians. they seem aggresive to the point of frenzy.
Burnat has spent years recording clashes sparked by the threat to his family's village.
While doing so, five cameras have been written off - broken during clashes. One even saved his life when an Israeli bullet lodged in it.
The battle in Palestine is an awful one - where people are forced to live their lives behind walls and have a constant siege mentality.
Rarely in one film has this ghastly existence and its unfairness been more starkly demonstrated.
This is a must see.
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 9.5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment