In which urbane alternative comedian Jeremy Hardy joins an International Solidarity Movement contingent in the West Bank and finds the reality of 'facts on the ground' clarifies his thinking on the Middle East issue no end.
Some criticisms of the film here are off the mark. Film is a visual medium. What counts is what we see. Hardy's narration is very understated, very self-deprecating, very English. We don't need him to express outrage at the Israeli army firing live rounds towards unarmed, peaceful demonstrators. We see it and can judge for ourselves. This works infinitely better than the sort of tendentious emoting which marred "One Day in September" or arguably Michael Moore's work.
While the film does not pretend to make a detailed examination of the conflict, there are nods towards the complexity of the situation; there is reference to suicide bombers and the Palestinian youths' "own version of the struggle" (although the latter is not spelled out). The ISM volunteers are told that reconciliation is the ultimate goal and they should not say anything to the Israeli soldiers which would make that harder to achieve. Although Hardy appears to start from a position of some scepticism regarding the international volunteers, events change this to admiration and wholehearted support.
While clearly taking sides, the film is unsensational, nuanced and yet as gripping as most thrillers. Throughly recommended.
Some criticisms of the film here are off the mark. Film is a visual medium. What counts is what we see. Hardy's narration is very understated, very self-deprecating, very English. We don't need him to express outrage at the Israeli army firing live rounds towards unarmed, peaceful demonstrators. We see it and can judge for ourselves. This works infinitely better than the sort of tendentious emoting which marred "One Day in September" or arguably Michael Moore's work.
While the film does not pretend to make a detailed examination of the conflict, there are nods towards the complexity of the situation; there is reference to suicide bombers and the Palestinian youths' "own version of the struggle" (although the latter is not spelled out). The ISM volunteers are told that reconciliation is the ultimate goal and they should not say anything to the Israeli soldiers which would make that harder to achieve. Although Hardy appears to start from a position of some scepticism regarding the international volunteers, events change this to admiration and wholehearted support.
While clearly taking sides, the film is unsensational, nuanced and yet as gripping as most thrillers. Throughly recommended.
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