I can understand the resistance to this film but it is undeserved. I watched it with an open mind often transposing the nationality of the many "soldiers" and "activists" in the plot and getting the same impression as the film first hinted to me that there is so little difference between races and cultures for all our attempts to say otherwise. This film is rich in its character building, sensitive to the issues involved, and optimistic in its final passages.
It is lovingly told from a character perspective with only slight weaknesses in acting performances throughout. Hiam Abbass (as Hind), Ruba Blal (as Fatima), and Freida Pinto (as Miral) are superb as women who understand just what a political game being termed a terrorist is. The most riveting scene for me is where Miral learns that love and hate have the same roots and is beautifully played out.
I really do not want to engage in the politics of the film for it is rare to see a film that understates the causes of unrest and conflict and dares to focus on the extreme hardship produced, be it in Palestine in the late twentieth century or much earlier anywhere in Europe.
I don't expect the game to gain popularity points on this website (no fault of IMDb) which is a shame because it stands out as a work of merit. I recommend it wholeheartedly and, were it not for a couple of acting blips, give it a maximum.
It is a film that makes you think - and feel.
It is lovingly told from a character perspective with only slight weaknesses in acting performances throughout. Hiam Abbass (as Hind), Ruba Blal (as Fatima), and Freida Pinto (as Miral) are superb as women who understand just what a political game being termed a terrorist is. The most riveting scene for me is where Miral learns that love and hate have the same roots and is beautifully played out.
I really do not want to engage in the politics of the film for it is rare to see a film that understates the causes of unrest and conflict and dares to focus on the extreme hardship produced, be it in Palestine in the late twentieth century or much earlier anywhere in Europe.
I don't expect the game to gain popularity points on this website (no fault of IMDb) which is a shame because it stands out as a work of merit. I recommend it wholeheartedly and, were it not for a couple of acting blips, give it a maximum.
It is a film that makes you think - and feel.