Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Divine Intervention

This is topic Divine Intervention in forum Film Handlers' Movie Reviews at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 04-25-2003, 11:13 AM:

This Palestinian film is probably one of the more humanistic looks at the absurdities of life in a conflicted area. With very little dialog, the movie unfolds with vignettes showing how various people cope when they have to keep their emotions in check. The greater conflict is boiled down into the petty stuff neighbor does upon neighbor (dumping trash in each others yards, creating potholes in neighbors' driveways). It doesn't seem to matter to the filmaker who is Israeli or Palestinian here (except for the checkpoint which is definitely controlled by Israelis). One of the more poignant scenes is that a man and his woman friend live in different sectors, but can only meet in the parking lot of that checkpoint. The emotions caused by these images hit home how politics affect indiuvidual, innocent lives, seemingly not a concern for the powers that be.

While a lot of the specific culture may be lost on U.S. audiences, I really can't recommend this film enough. A very special film.