Back before Israel pulled all its troops and settlers out of Gaza, there were Israelis picketing with signs that said "If you flee Gaza, Gaza will pursue you." In fact, that is what happened. As of this writing, the Gazans have no Israeli soldiers to throw stones at any more, but they're lobbing missiles at Israeli civilians. Anyway, this movie takes us back to those previous days, certainly no picnic, when Israeli soldiers patrolled inside Gaza. With the skill, weapons, and numbers at their disposal, the Israeli soldiers are unable to keep order. They can't plan past the next moment; threats go unimplemented and promises go unfilled. The only thing constant is the unpredictability. In such a setting, a well-constructed plot isn't easily spun. This time, meaning no offense to the photography and music, the task of holding attention falls to the dialogue and characterization; and both are quite professional but the lack of a structured story arc from scene to scene is still felt. Moreover, the same characters come along by coincidence again and again, which would be fine if the movie were a stylized parable but doesn't come off well when the situations are being played for realism. Still, although I never served in Gaza, I think that future generations could do worse than watch this movie as a reminder of why Israel was so strongly tempted to leave Gaza despite the warnings that leaving would do no good.
Review of Rock the Casbah
