Ajami

This Palestinian/ Israeli film was a contender for best foreign film at last year’s

Oscars. I knew I had to see it. I loved the idea of collaboration with an Arab and Israeli. We need more of that on so many levels.

The film is not political and it doesn’t preach. It is, however one of the bleakest films I have ever seen. It is totally in black and white and so dreary that at times it was hard to view the image. I found it confusing at times and had trouble keeping the characters straight. I was often unsure who was an Arab and who was Israeli.

Maybe that was part intentional. The problems presented are universal problems. They are just more intense in this area of the world. Drugs are a central theme and various aspects were presented. Friendships between an Arab boy and a Christian girl could be a problem in any country.

Family issues were presented in different ways. The problems presented could be issues in any country but were definitely major issues in this Jaffa area of Israel. Jaffa is one of the oldest areas in Israel and was the beginning of the Tel Aviv area. Arabs, Jews and Christians live side by side in this area. There are always problems and many are represented in this film.

Apparently it took many years to produce this film. It was difficult to find the actors. The directors wanted it to authentic and hired many in the cast from actual jobs that were related to the part portrayed. For example the policeman had been an actual cop.

I did find the movie interesting. I felt emotionally involved with some of the problems presented. Who could not feel empathy for a young illegal immigrant who needs money to pay for his mother’s operation? A policeman is preoccupied in finding his missing brother. My heart broke for the young Christian girl who loved the Arab man. As a viewer you know it could never work. Not only was their cultural background different he also was involved in many dangerous issues. Her father defiantly intervened but it was still heart breaking. I didn’t have sympathy for the drug dealer and his personal problems.

The film is divided into chapters. We meet different characters who lives are somewhat interconnected throughout the film. (Very confusing at times)

The acting was well done. This is a first for directors Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani. They weren’t up to Oscar winning status on this film but perhaps in the future.