Paradise Now
Filmed in Nablus and Nazareth, this movie hits all
the Palestinian issues right on the nose
I finally had a chance to see "Paradise Now," which
has been in theatres since October and is about to disappear from New York
screens. Filmed in the West Bank's Nablus, as well as Nazareth, "Paradise Now"
is able to deliver a variety of Palestinian problems and concerns in a way that
completely relates their plight to the filmgoing public. Said and Khaled, two
lifelong friends who work at a garage, wind up being chosen for a suicide
mission into Tel Aviv. Filmed in real Palestinian surroundings, you can sense
the hopelessness and desperation some people might feel. But it's more complex
than that as well. Along with the terrorists are the "collaborators," who also
wind up suffering. There's plenty of demoralization to go
around.
When their contact on the Israeli
side of the security fence doesn't show up, Said and Khaled flee back to their
side. Khaled makes it back to the terrorist group's makeshift headquarters, but
delayed, Said does not, and the group has already relocated. Khaled worries
about Said wandering around, still bound by a girdle of explosives, and rushes
around town trying to find
him.
Meanwhile, a female friend of
Said's, Suha, talks some sense into Khaled, who decides not to go on the suicide
mission. Suha believes in more peaceful solutions, recognizing the endless,
futile cycle of revenge and counterattack. She is also appalled to discover that
tapes of suicide bombers' last statements are sold and rented, and that
executions of collaborators go for even more. We also learn in the course of the
film that Said is living with the cultural guilt of his father having been a
"collaborrator." Nablus-born actress Hiam Abbas, who did a great job in the lead
role as the sister of the "Syrian Bride," has a nice smaller role here as Said's
mother.
Posted: Tue - January 17, 2006 at 02:59 AM