I haven't seen such a brilliant and intense film since Battle of Algiers, also about a people's fight for freedom and the brutal repression they suffered under (the French).
I've been to Israel (1967) and Nablus and what is now West Bank and have seen the horrible conditions there. The problems there I think stem from the governments of both sides, each thinking their side is wrong. Violence begets violence and acts of desperation, such as is seen in Battle of Algiers which was done I think in the sixties. There was one seen where a woman goes into a café and leaves a basket full of explosives and leaves. While appalling, the film leaves the viewer (at least me) with sympathy for the freedom fighters from the oppression of the French (shades of Iraq today).
Paradise Now shows the consequence, also, of the US's blind support of Israel and whatever Israel does, including sales of millions of dollars in military aid, financial aid, even when Israel illegally builds settlements where they are not allowed to. Ever since the US recognized Israel, the relationship between the two countries has been very lopsided Wit the Arabs left out of the loop and the hatred engendered by this blind obedience resulted in 9/11. People I know will throw brickbats at me but in this country no tolerance of criticism is allowed and AIPAC has dominated this country so that any politician who criticizes Israel is doomed to not be elected.
Blind hatred such as that of 9/11 did not appear from nowhere. And I think this film helps show the despair of the Palestinians that is lacking on television.
SPOILER ALERT!! While my sister told me they both gave up the project (she got this from a review and I was shocked), the ending was not quite that. One did change his mind but the other went ahead, after hesitating, and the look in his eyes at the end was chilling beyond belief. I doubt whether he thought he was going to Heaven with two beautiful women to greet him there. Even one of his handlers admitted he didn't know but Said's hatred of the occupation and his life, going nowhere, without hope, was staggering and haunting.
END SPOILER ALERT To be fair, there are many Israelis and Jews in this country sympathetic to the Palestinians and are against what Israel is doing but their voices are too few and rarely given a larger viewing on television.
I will not be surprised at the arrows thrown at me for my statements.
Still, whichever position you take, this is a must-see movie. (I also recommend Battle of Algiers.)
I've been to Israel (1967) and Nablus and what is now West Bank and have seen the horrible conditions there. The problems there I think stem from the governments of both sides, each thinking their side is wrong. Violence begets violence and acts of desperation, such as is seen in Battle of Algiers which was done I think in the sixties. There was one seen where a woman goes into a café and leaves a basket full of explosives and leaves. While appalling, the film leaves the viewer (at least me) with sympathy for the freedom fighters from the oppression of the French (shades of Iraq today).
Paradise Now shows the consequence, also, of the US's blind support of Israel and whatever Israel does, including sales of millions of dollars in military aid, financial aid, even when Israel illegally builds settlements where they are not allowed to. Ever since the US recognized Israel, the relationship between the two countries has been very lopsided Wit the Arabs left out of the loop and the hatred engendered by this blind obedience resulted in 9/11. People I know will throw brickbats at me but in this country no tolerance of criticism is allowed and AIPAC has dominated this country so that any politician who criticizes Israel is doomed to not be elected.
Blind hatred such as that of 9/11 did not appear from nowhere. And I think this film helps show the despair of the Palestinians that is lacking on television.
SPOILER ALERT!! While my sister told me they both gave up the project (she got this from a review and I was shocked), the ending was not quite that. One did change his mind but the other went ahead, after hesitating, and the look in his eyes at the end was chilling beyond belief. I doubt whether he thought he was going to Heaven with two beautiful women to greet him there. Even one of his handlers admitted he didn't know but Said's hatred of the occupation and his life, going nowhere, without hope, was staggering and haunting.
END SPOILER ALERT To be fair, there are many Israelis and Jews in this country sympathetic to the Palestinians and are against what Israel is doing but their voices are too few and rarely given a larger viewing on television.
I will not be surprised at the arrows thrown at me for my statements.
Still, whichever position you take, this is a must-see movie. (I also recommend Battle of Algiers.)