These days, as opposed to a few years back when I was far more invested in political discussion, I now am fairly apathetic in political discourse, which is ironic since now I can actually vote. But if there are two issues which I really try not to talk about it is 1) abortion, which is the same old round-about "conversation" which never, ever goes anywhere, and 2) the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in the Middle East. I try to avoid talking about the latter because, seemingly more than any other issue, it feels almost impossible for me to find any kind of coherent truth about this bleak and terrible conflict. My heart lies with the Palestinians, but it seems depending on who I talk to on a certain day, my position could change instantaneously. Obviously, it would help if I actually properly researched the situation, but admittedly it's much easier to just say, screw it, let them kill each other!
Anyway, I had previously watched James Longley's "Iraq in Fragments", his Malick-esque, slice of life look at the Sunni, Shia, and Kurd civil war in the after-math of the US invasion, a beautifully stunning documentary, which merely allows the every-day people of the country to speak, and it helps paint a picture of the true heart of the conflict. I don't look at his previous film, "Gaza Strip", as some kind of educational tool to teach me the "truth" of the nasty, bitter conflict in Israel, and I think the mistake by many is viewing the film in such a context because I don't think that's the goal of the film. What you get here is an arresting account of the conflict in the streets of Gaza with the Palestinian people, following the children as they get shot at by Israeli soldiers, and listening them speak their minds about their life and dreams in a hopeless situation seemingly only filled with horror stories.
Like "Iraq in Fragments", Longley is wise to keep his presence at a distance, with no narration or studio interviews. All the action is told in the heat of the moment, the camera rushes into danger and stays close for the intimate moments. I would probably call this a more urgent film than "Iraq in Fragments", as it doesn't carry with it the same slow, tranquil rhythm, but it still has its moments of being rather hypnotic, and it is overall a well-made film. It's a bit one-note and if you come to this film wanting to see a picture of both-sides, something which I perhaps would have liked, then you will be disappointed. "Gaza Strip" simply offers a unique, up close and personal account of the conflict from the Palestinian side.
It's a good film, but a more full picture of the conflict could have made it a great one
Anyway, I had previously watched James Longley's "Iraq in Fragments", his Malick-esque, slice of life look at the Sunni, Shia, and Kurd civil war in the after-math of the US invasion, a beautifully stunning documentary, which merely allows the every-day people of the country to speak, and it helps paint a picture of the true heart of the conflict. I don't look at his previous film, "Gaza Strip", as some kind of educational tool to teach me the "truth" of the nasty, bitter conflict in Israel, and I think the mistake by many is viewing the film in such a context because I don't think that's the goal of the film. What you get here is an arresting account of the conflict in the streets of Gaza with the Palestinian people, following the children as they get shot at by Israeli soldiers, and listening them speak their minds about their life and dreams in a hopeless situation seemingly only filled with horror stories.
Like "Iraq in Fragments", Longley is wise to keep his presence at a distance, with no narration or studio interviews. All the action is told in the heat of the moment, the camera rushes into danger and stays close for the intimate moments. I would probably call this a more urgent film than "Iraq in Fragments", as it doesn't carry with it the same slow, tranquil rhythm, but it still has its moments of being rather hypnotic, and it is overall a well-made film. It's a bit one-note and if you come to this film wanting to see a picture of both-sides, something which I perhaps would have liked, then you will be disappointed. "Gaza Strip" simply offers a unique, up close and personal account of the conflict from the Palestinian side.
It's a good film, but a more full picture of the conflict could have made it a great one