Divine Intervention

[Justin Crast]

This is a black comedy about Palestinians under Israeli control written, directed, and starring Elia Suleiman. It's received great press around the world and is starting to find audiences in America. I havent' seen it but it looks like a movie in the vane of Jaques Tati, ie, a silent comedy in the sound era. Lot's of sight gags and not much dialogue. The Palestine issue is a big one here and was wondering if anyone has seen this or know more about it. Linked below is a review by Roger Ebert.

Justin

"The film was so well received around the world that it seemed likely to get an Oscar nomination, but was rejected by the Motion Picture Academy because entries must be nominated by their nation of origin, and Palestine is not a nation. That's the sort of Catch-22 that Suleiman might appreciate." - Roger Ebert

http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-divine25f.html

[antizionist]

Sounds like a very interesting movie. I am gonna have to try and check it out (here's another link: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0274428)

It's sad that Palestine isn't recognized. Certain groups have done a tremondous job of wiping out an entire people's heritage and right to their land. Unfortunately the Academy won't let it qualify as a nominee. If you took a look at the people who make up Hollywood's hierarchy and the Motion Picture Academy you'd know exactly why. By reading reviews of the movie it doesn't sound negative on either side. But then again if you show Palestinians as anything other than terrorists you're going against the rules of US mass media. Still though, movie looks good.