Nominated for an Oscar as best foreign-language film, “Paradise Now” gives a face to all of the suicide bombings you hear about in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict

By Sam Smyth
Gargoyle senior editor
Posted Friday, May 5, 2006, The OG, arts

Chances are you haven't been able to see the Academy Award-nominated film “Paradise Now,” even if you have heard about it. The movie only ran locally for about a week at the Art, and limited copies of the recently released DVD are usually checked out around town.

The movie, directed by Hany Abu-Assad, chronicles two Palestinians' lives when they are told they have been chosen to carry out a mission against the Israelis in 24 hours — a suicide bombing. With bombs strapped to their chests underneath suits suitable for a wedding, they are told how exceedingly lucky they are to have been selected for this mission, the first operation in a while by the fundamentalist group they are working with.

The two would-be bombers, Said (Kais Nashef) and Khaled (Ali Suliman), are best friends, and Said clearly has an influence on Khaled. Over the few days the movie chronicles, we see how they are each affected by the ongoing conflict as they struggle with their jobs and as different characters give their views on the situation.

After the news that they have been chosen, they must figure out how to bid their families good-bye without revealing their task, and Said has the added trouble of dealing with a female with whom he has a sudden new potential relationship.

The acting is superb, the backdrop of the ancient city interesting, and the camera work brilliant for many of the scenes — all of this for what was a small-budget production compared to anything out of Hollywood.

One of the movie's most telling moments comes when Khaled delivers a passionate videotaped farewell — gun in hand — during which he uses religious justification for his task, the purpose being to launch him into martyrdom after his mission.

When he finishes, he is informed that there was no tape in the camera, and naturally he curses. “No big deal, we'll do it again,” pipes the group's leader. The owner of a video-rental store later informs us that one can rent or buy tapes of such martyrs, which are second in popularity only to tapes of tortured informants confessing to their crimes.

The movie twists and turns with the characters as they deal with setbacks and question their reasons for doing the bombing. The viewer is kept in suspense as to the final outcome up to the last seconds.

Of course, the movie has generated controversy — some critics have accused it of justifying suicide bombings. However, it should be noted that one of the writers/producers is an Israeli, and the movie does not seem to take a side as much as it reveals the tragedy of the situation as a whole.

On the one hand, the film offers reasons the two friends might be driven to consider the mission — a life of repression, a culture pressuring them to do so, religious fanatics promising them paradise. However, it by no means condones the act of terrorism, showing innocent Israeli women and children — the potential victims of the bombing — going about their lives.

I got the feeling that the movie might confirm whatever political stance you have going into it. I have avoided forming a strong opinion one way or the other on the convoluted issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After watching “Paradise Now” I may have been more confused, but I felt more connected and understanding of the problems both Israelis and Palestinians face.

Stars: 3.5 out of 4