Rainer Waldman Adkins (guest) 19 Aug 2009 13:18
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom's monthy Film and Discussion Salon presents The Lemon Tree, at Columbia City Cinema, Thursday, August 20, 7 pm. This is a monthly series focusing on Israel and work for Israeli-Palestinian/Mid East peace. Free; donations are welcome. Only 50 seats, so rsvps are recommended: (206) 442-2077 or gro.molahstb|elttaes#gro.molahstb|elttaes.
Join other friends of peace, justice and film!
The Lemon Tree, synopsis:
The Israeli Defense Minister (Doron Tavory) moves to the border between Israel and the West Bank. The Israeli Secret Service views the neighboring lemon grove of Salma (Hiam Abbass), a Palestinian widow, as a threat to the Defence Minister and his wife. The Army obtains an order to uproot the lemon trees. The struggle of Salma, together with the lawyer Ziad Daud (Ali Suliman), gets to the Supreme Court, involving not only the international press but also Mira Navon (Rona Lipaz-Michael), the Minister's wife. This leads to a complex, though not always evident, human bond between the two women.
The plot of the movie was based on a real life incident. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz moved to the border within Israel and the occupied territories and security forces began cutting down the olive trees beside his house, arguing that it could be used by terrorists as a hiding place. The Palestinian family who owned the trees sued the minister and took the case all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court.
AWARDS: Berlin Film Festival, Panorama Audience Award /
European Film Awards, Nominated: Best Actress; Nominated: Best Screenwriter / Israeli Film Academy, Best Actress
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
"…'Lemon Tree,' directed by the Israeli filmmaker Eran Riklis, whose 2004 movie, “The Syrian Bride,” explored Israeli-Arab border tensions, is also a wrenching, richly layered feminist allegory as well as a geopolitical one.” -New York Times
"The rare ability to make intelligent, entertaining cinema from hot-button current issues is beautifully illustrated by "Lemon Tree," a multifaceted drama straddling the Palestinian-Israeli chasm that's marbled with irony, generosity, anger and pure crowd-pleasing optimism. As in his 2004 hit, "The Syrian Bride," Israeli [director] Eran Riklis takes a story of border sensitivities but reduces its political components to a simple human level, topped by an outstanding, kudo-worthy performance from Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass. -Variety
"“…an emotionally loaded story schematically told, with a visual emphasis on walls and fences - specifically, the towering West Bank wall cutting the area in two… As the grove slowly withers …the main character starts to bloom, and Abbass illustrates Salma's growing assertiveness with subtle glances and regal bearing.” -Boston Globe
Rainer Waldman Adkins (guest), 19 Aug 2009 13:18