This entire film was harrowing. There was an incredible level of tension from the start of the film. Right off the bat I was tense as a result of the family's interactions. The stress between the husband, wife, and daughter was palpable, and immediately I did not feel good about the husband and his choices.
However, the film soon brought my judgment into serious question. As it progressed, and the tension remained, I soon understood the father's goal. In his refusal to leave, the father was setting an example not only for his children, but for the Israelis. What he wanted above all else was to show both parties that everyone involved was just another person. Should the family leave, the children would never see the Israeli soldiers as anything other than faceless monsters. Should the family never interact with the Israelis, the soldiers would only see them as blanket terrorists. This point was made when the young Israeli soldier spotted the daughter in the closet, and later greeted the husband that night.
The film also presents an interesting commentary on how different people react to aggression, tension, and the need for resistance. In the daughter, we see curiosity. In one son we see the need to escape, and in the other, we see the birth of the dream of martyrdom. I believe this film goes a long way towards humanizing everyone involved in conflict, including those who might react violently. This is a big step forward compared to other modern films, focused merely on painting one side good and the other bad.
John W
No comments:
Post a Comment