Although intriguing at first "A House in Jerusalem" sadly falls flat in its second half. This picture surpasses the "ghost-story" genre with its eery gentle approach by leaving the horror and fright out of this picture, but unfortunately it also left out suspense and thrill that would captivate viewer's attention. I appreciated the truthful and realistic political background that was woven into almost every part of the main story. However the themes like loss and grief, that should have been in the foreground according to the director Muayad Alayan, were not as prominent or conspicuous as was promised. Yes, when you look back at "A House in Jerusalem", it is obvious that coping with sorrow and misfortune is the primary message of the picture. But on the other hand while watching it you get lost in the narrative a little bit and it almost feels more as a detective story. Overall it was not an unpleasant film, but at the same time watching it didn't evoke any emotions in me and because of that it became quite forgettable.
2 Reviews
Social realism adjacent - wonderful film
michael-kerrigan-526-1249744 June 2024
9 out of ten - brilliant
I went into this film knowing very little about it other than Johnny Harris was in it and there was also a Q&A afterwards at the wonderful Broadway cinema in Nottingham.
I've seen Johnny Harris in two of my favourite films of all time. London to Brighton (the producers of this film who eloquently spoke at the Q&A also produced LtB) and Jawbone. Both utterly superb and both what I would classify as my favourite 'social realism' genre. The premise of this film might not immediately strike you as social realist, but perhaps think again...
Harris plays a father who is trying to cope with his own grief but at the same time navigating his daughter through the trauma of her mother's / his wife's death. Daughter is not coping well so he decides to move them from the UK to Jerusalem, made possible through his family connections. And we soon find that something is not quite right in the new home. Daughter befriends a Palestinian girl of similar age who only she can see and hear. Maybe she is real, but then maybe she is a figment of her imagination, as no-one else can seem to see or hear this apparently other-worldy character.
Is this a ghost story? Is it a political drama? Is it a parable of love, loss and guilt? Perhaps all of these and more.
From early into the film it reminded me of the widely lauded movie Petite Maman, and there are definite parallels, although A House in Jerusalem was shot during the Covid lockdown, and made before that film's release. So I think the similarities are merely coincidental. I'd also say that this film packs a much bigger emotional punch.
The film is narratively simple but emotionally complex, and all the better for it. And, on reflection, I'd say it is a cross between a ghost story and social realism - magical realism if you will. Whatever... it is simply brilliant and I hope it gets a wide audience because it absolutely deserves it.
I went into this film knowing very little about it other than Johnny Harris was in it and there was also a Q&A afterwards at the wonderful Broadway cinema in Nottingham.
I've seen Johnny Harris in two of my favourite films of all time. London to Brighton (the producers of this film who eloquently spoke at the Q&A also produced LtB) and Jawbone. Both utterly superb and both what I would classify as my favourite 'social realism' genre. The premise of this film might not immediately strike you as social realist, but perhaps think again...
Harris plays a father who is trying to cope with his own grief but at the same time navigating his daughter through the trauma of her mother's / his wife's death. Daughter is not coping well so he decides to move them from the UK to Jerusalem, made possible through his family connections. And we soon find that something is not quite right in the new home. Daughter befriends a Palestinian girl of similar age who only she can see and hear. Maybe she is real, but then maybe she is a figment of her imagination, as no-one else can seem to see or hear this apparently other-worldy character.
Is this a ghost story? Is it a political drama? Is it a parable of love, loss and guilt? Perhaps all of these and more.
From early into the film it reminded me of the widely lauded movie Petite Maman, and there are definite parallels, although A House in Jerusalem was shot during the Covid lockdown, and made before that film's release. So I think the similarities are merely coincidental. I'd also say that this film packs a much bigger emotional punch.
The film is narratively simple but emotionally complex, and all the better for it. And, on reflection, I'd say it is a cross between a ghost story and social realism - magical realism if you will. Whatever... it is simply brilliant and I hope it gets a wide audience because it absolutely deserves it.
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