A couple of weeks ago, I finally got the chance to watch Paradise Now, a much debated controversial movie about two childhood friends who are recruited for a suicide bombing mission in Tel Aviv.
It's a powerful movie, with great acting (both leading men, Kais Nashef in the role of Said and Ali Suliman as Khaled were extremely good. The "love interest" character however, played by Lubna Azabal, got on my nerves for some reason. And her weird accent, a mix of Palestinian and Moroccan was incomprehensible. Good thing we had subtitles).
The most fascinating part about the movie was seeing the whole preparation process before the two men go on their suicide mission. It really made me want to understand what must be going through these two men's minds as they are getting the explosive devices strapped around their chests. And it boggles my mind that people can be so convinced about a cause, that they would be willing to go through with such an act.
Of course, I do not condone suicide bombings, I think that putting our efforts towards a peaceful agreement is a better option, as opposed to killing innocent people. Easier said than done of course.
Nevertheless, if you do manage to get a hold of Paradise Now, watch it.
9 comments:
I know what you mean... I love life too much. I alsocan't believe that a human behing, a Man (with a big M), could convince me of the existance of God so much so that it would lead me to do something like that. In a way, it is impressive but very sad at the same time.
I think i'll rent the movie and come back to you. But the whole concept of "suicide" (may it be suicide bomb, kamikaze, etc) is just so foreign to me. I don't think I would be desperate enough to do it, or even think that my life could make a diference. Any way, I hope never to feel that way.
I do think too, that efforts should be made toward peace instead of that.
i am turning green! Where did you watch it?
Chazoo, I really think that we can't judge or even begin to understand these suicide acts because we do not know what kind of life these suicide bombers are living and what daily struggles they go through. But I do think that they are somewhat brainwashed, in order to be convinced to commit such an act.
If you get the chance, check out this blog: http://a-mother-from-gaza.blogspot.com//
It's by Laila, a young mother and journalist living in Gaza. The blog is about raising her son Yousuf, while going through life in Gaza. Some of the experiences she goes through can make your blood curl!
Moryarti, a friend of Sky's lent it to her on DVD. I'll see if she still has it and if the friend is willing to lend it. I still don't understand why they haven't played it in the cinema yet...It was playing during the International Film Festival.
I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but suffice it to say that this movie is definitely not made for an audience in-the-know.
It's a great thing for people who don't necessarily understand this extremely complex conflict (I don't claim to understand it fully), as it's a simplified story of one tiny facet of it. It also sheds light on the desperation of the Palestinian people, and as you guys said above, why someone would go to such great lengths, all the while probably knowing that it won't change a single thing.
I wasn't extremely impressed, but I guess it's a movie to see and form your own opinion.
dxbSS, I said exactly that! I can't imagine ever being in a situation where I would feel so desparate to commit such an act, to give up my life. So I know it is impossible to judge and quite impossible to understand.
All I can say is that it is not something I was taught to think about in order to solve a problem, no matter its complexity. And I'm almost quite certain that no mother would teach that to their child, no matter where they live and what they believe in.
And again, I'm certain that no Human would be able to convince me to act it out in someones name. I'm sure a kid who decides to become a suicide bomber has been conviced by a Man and not directly by divine intervention.
But then again, as I said, I hope never to be in a situation where I would feel as desperate as to commit such an act.
My take on this subject is that these people have nothing to lose.
They reach a point of desperation, looking around and not finding a home, an identity, a country. I'm not supporting suicide, them dying is not the answer.It's not the way to get what's theirs back but to them, it's the first and last way.
To Blockbuster this weekend :)
Chazoo- Palestinian mothers don't TEACH their kids to be suicide bombers-the situation does. There is this misnomer that Palestinian mothers somehow dno't love their children or "hate the enemy" more than they "love their children" to quote the famous saying by Gold Meir. Believe me, they shed the same tears and agony that any other mother does.
Anonymous - I agree completely.
What I said is that I can't fathom any mother, no matter where she lives, no matter what she believes in, would teach that to her children.
Initially, what I found difficult to accept was the readiness and emotionless way the characters accepted the mission. Their manner was devoid of any visible concern for their families, or loved ones.. But as the movie went on, one could see why: They were desperate and frustrated.
Again, I don't condone suicide bombings and I don't think any mother teaches her children to take their own lives or kill or, even, how to deal with frustration.
I really admire this movie, and I now think it deserved the Best Foreign movie Oscar. Not that I expected the Academy voters to award such controversial movie :) But it deserved the honour.
I've written a mini review on my blog, some time back.
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