After reading both sides of the petition, I could see the points of both sides. However, I chose to allow the film to receive it award nominations. The film was a good insight of the mentality of the other side. The director/writer was excellent in getting his point over. He allowed the viewers to see what go on behind the scene and in the minds of suicide bombers and extremist. Personally, I never understood why someone would take their own life to make a point or force change through violence. Although murdering innocent individuals is wrong, the director gives the viewer a chance to dissolve that curiosity. It’s a film, an art. Just like we make films of serial murders does not mean that we condone or glorify these individuals. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been going on since the early 1900’s, which has included thousands of martyrs and extremist. So I doubt a film that reveals the story of a suicide bomber will cause more or less incidents.
Those that opposed the film seemed to be Israelis, which seem to be upset because the director used Palestine Territory when Palestine is not a state and because they felt film glorified suicide bombers. I never saw the film as a glorification of bombers. I saw two kids scared to death. Two kids brainwashed and socially pressured into the inevitable.
I applaud the director’s efforts in giving us non-Israelis and Palestinians the other side of the story that we never hear or see through other media circuits.
3 comments:
I agree with you, the film showed the two suicide bombers scared, and immature. They were definitely lost, and were not thinking right,it showed how unsure they were about their decision.
"Just like we make films of serial murders does not mean that we condone or glorify these individuals."
Right. I had this idea in my mind, but I think I forgot to express it. Imagine if every movie was meant to sanction the superficial behaviors depicted! And anyway, there was a moral message in this movie, to NOT become a suicide bomber.
As for your use of the term "brainwashed," I think that every person is brainwashed, or maybe the politically correct word is "conditioned." For example, I've heard some Americans express disgust at the "brainwashing" of the Islamic prayer ritual. I don't think it's much different than when I see a group of Americans put their hands on their chests when they hear the Pledge of Allegiance or the anthem, or even a Christian prayer at a City Hall meeting where (almost) everyone bows their head. Should I not shudder at the conformity? They're mass acts that are culturally conditioned.
"I applaud the director’s efforts in giving us non-Israelis and Palestinians the other side of the story that we never hear or see through other media circuits." Great point. I certainly gained insight from the director's perspective! I never thought about the bombers as being normal people, with families and jobs, and I it never occurred to me that one would ever back out! After all, don't they get picked up by angels and taken immediately to heaven (where, as Rosemary put it) virgins will be waiting for them.
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