Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Movie of the Month-Paradise Now

From the most unlikely of places, comes the most unlikely call for Peace. The 2005 film Paradise Now is unquestionably one of the most powerful films I have ever seen, and I promise for those that have not seen it, it will be just as powerful and emotional for you. The premise of the film is about two Palestinian men preparing for a suicide attack in Israel. The idea may not seem all that powerful, if not controversial. However, the film explores reasons why men like these do what they do and why it needs to end. Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad, stated to the Guardian "The film is an artistic point of view of that political issue [...] The politicians want to see it as black and white, good and evil, and art wants to see it as a human thing." With more statements defending the film, it had audiences around the world in awe with its compelling story and the last few frames will leave you to determine your own intriguing ending. Paradise Now is more than a film it is a statement, landing a Golden Globe in 2006 and nominated for an Academy Award that same year. Paradise Now is a film we need now more than ever. It is also appropriate to discuss such a film in a month when story lines such as this hit at home.