I saw this movie on DVD and was fascinated by the screenplay and how the film was visualised. I could see the pain and horror the Palestinian family had to go through. Being occupied does eventually make you go insane and takes away from you any freedom you have and your left with nothing and you rather be dead than under occupation as the woman says in it. It was a moving piece only that it could have elaborated a bit more on the story. It would have been interesting to see what the Israeli army's story was in the film and exactly why the occupied the house. I recommend everyone to see this extraordinary movie. It's a film that really shows the political and personal effects upon individuals.
13 Reviews
Seeing the Other Side
sunraider7 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I absolutely loved this movie, which I first caught on the Sundance Channel in the U.S. I've watched it so many times I finally ordered the DVD. This film is a richly textured film, with wonderful acting, strong characterizations, and fine dialog. I'm self-described "pro-Israel" and I did not find this movie biased. It has a point of view as it's the story of a Palestinian family whose home is "occupied" by a group of Israeli soldiers. Everythinig is seen and interpreted from this family's point of view, not the soldiers', with the important exception of the scenes where the daughter hides in the armoire to spy on the soldiers and only we, as the audience, are able to understand the dialog because of the sub-titles (as the daughter cannot understand Hebrew).
I love the subtle acting by the actors, such as the roll of the eyes of the neighbor after she's been "interrogated" and leaves the house, or the reaction of the commander as he rounds the corner of the stairs thinking he's going to be interrogating some high value target only to be confronted instead with a middle-aged frumpy house frau (the neighbor). The expression on his face, from intensity to bemusement as his underling questions this hapless woman is priceless. And the actor playing the father is fabulous as he's able to subtly convey both a commanding presence and someone who's been humiliated in front of his family and in unsure how to recover his authority. This isn't a perfect film. Considering the importance his character could potentially have, the one son who finds a left-behind grenade and plants a booby trap for the soldiers is underdeveloped. Is he such a narcissist that he can't even realize the terrible impact his potentially deadly actions would have on himself, his family, and the soldiers? Since he barely says anything, we just don't really understand what's motivating him. And what more can be said about the truly awful ending song that is so heavy-handed as to be disruptive to the viewer. But, overall, a wonderful film that gets better with each viewing.
I love the subtle acting by the actors, such as the roll of the eyes of the neighbor after she's been "interrogated" and leaves the house, or the reaction of the commander as he rounds the corner of the stairs thinking he's going to be interrogating some high value target only to be confronted instead with a middle-aged frumpy house frau (the neighbor). The expression on his face, from intensity to bemusement as his underling questions this hapless woman is priceless. And the actor playing the father is fabulous as he's able to subtly convey both a commanding presence and someone who's been humiliated in front of his family and in unsure how to recover his authority. This isn't a perfect film. Considering the importance his character could potentially have, the one son who finds a left-behind grenade and plants a booby trap for the soldiers is underdeveloped. Is he such a narcissist that he can't even realize the terrible impact his potentially deadly actions would have on himself, his family, and the soldiers? Since he barely says anything, we just don't really understand what's motivating him. And what more can be said about the truly awful ending song that is so heavy-handed as to be disruptive to the viewer. But, overall, a wonderful film that gets better with each viewing.
Home, the Most Sacred Place of a Family
claudio_carvalho15 January 2012
In the South of Palestine, the idealistic Professor Mohammad (Mohammed Bakri) is a family man that lives with his wife and five children a simple life in an isolated house. His wife Samia (Areen Omari) wants to leave Palestine but her husband refuses to emigrate to another country and become a refugee. One night, Israeli soldiers commanded by the paranoid Commander Ofer (Lior Miller) break in their house and the peaceful Mohammad needs to control his family that wants to react against the Israeli aggression.
"Private" is a heartbreaking and dramatic story about a Palestinian that has their home, that is supposed to be the safest and the most sacred place of a family, invaded by Israeli soldiers that threaten and humiliate them. The direction and performances are top-notch and the film gives the sensation of documentary. The abusive relationship of the Israeli soldiers with the Palestinian family is very similar to the Nazis and Jews in World War II, Serbs and Croats in the Yugoslav Wars or American and Iraqis in the recent invasion and happens since the very beginning of mankind history between who is in control and who is controlled by the Power that Be. Sad, but it is the reality. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Violação de Domicílio" ("Home Violation")
"Private" is a heartbreaking and dramatic story about a Palestinian that has their home, that is supposed to be the safest and the most sacred place of a family, invaded by Israeli soldiers that threaten and humiliate them. The direction and performances are top-notch and the film gives the sensation of documentary. The abusive relationship of the Israeli soldiers with the Palestinian family is very similar to the Nazis and Jews in World War II, Serbs and Croats in the Yugoslav Wars or American and Iraqis in the recent invasion and happens since the very beginning of mankind history between who is in control and who is controlled by the Power that Be. Sad, but it is the reality. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Violação de Domicílio" ("Home Violation")
Increasing our understanding
lastliberal28 April 2007
Today the 3rd Amendment to our Constitution appears to be a forgotten artifact of the Founding Era, for it forbids a practice that no longer troubles Americans - the quartering of soldiers in private homes. This was a big problem until the Revolution. This film demonstrates the practice in the Israli-Palestinian conflict as Israeli soldiers take over a Palestinian families home.
The father, Mohammed, struggles to keep his family from harm while he tries to maintain a sense of dignity in the face of this insult. Mohammed Bakri turns in a great performance in this film.
The most interesting aspects of the film are the different affects on the young children, and the depiction of some of the difficulties soldiers face in carrying out orders.
Well worth your time to see another aspect of war.
The father, Mohammed, struggles to keep his family from harm while he tries to maintain a sense of dignity in the face of this insult. Mohammed Bakri turns in a great performance in this film.
The most interesting aspects of the film are the different affects on the young children, and the depiction of some of the difficulties soldiers face in carrying out orders.
Well worth your time to see another aspect of war.
Palestinian Hearth Invasion
Dave D-211 September 2004
Any films that explore fact-based story lines pertaining to the ever-tense Israeli-Palestinian conflict and manage to convey both the weaknesses and the dignities of both Palestinians and Israelis without partisanship, ought not to be interesting and uplifting. "Private", the story of a privileged Palestinian family of 7 (3 boys, 2 girls and their parents) whose house is suddenly invaded and occupied by Israeli soldiers, ought to be both interesting and uplifting. I found it eminently interesting (even exciting), but, sadly not too uplifting. I felt that the screenwriter strove perhaps a bit too hard to avoid blaming either side. To be sure, the performances of those playing the parts of the Palestinian family were beyond reproach and the same can be said of the Israeli actor leading the soldiers. No mean feat when you consider that these parts were played by Jewish and Arabic actors. I was especially impressed with the two youngest children - a boy and a girl both affected in wildly different ways by the course of events they are forced to endure. While "Private" does eventually strive to convey the utter senselessness of the Israeli-Palestinian war and the possibility of hope for a future where violence need not be resorted to, the sad reality of the true story upon which this film is based, impedes any likelihood that you will leave the cinema (or your favourite movie-watching seat in your house) feeling a sense of hope when the end credits start to roll. I saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival. I chose to see it because from the basic plot outline I read, I was hoping for a reprise of the kind of film going experience I had watching the Shapiro/Goldberg/Bolado docu "Promises" during the 2001 Film Festival here, which in fact was vastly superior to "Private". I will conclude by mentioning that I have rated this film 7/10.
Private
peri9011 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I found the film Private to be an excellent depiction of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Throughout the film you feel yourself holding your breath, identifying yourself with the tension that exists in the house. The film humanizes the current situation in the middle east. Part of what is excellent about this film, is that this it is acted by both Arab and Israeli actors. One can only imagine themselves on the set of the making of this film. Or sitting in a round circle discussion with the actors.
The plot: The father does an excellent job acting his part. You are both upset at and understanding of the father. His choice to stay in his house is probably the best decision, and hardest decision. It requires a very strong person, who can watch their children be scarred but can remind themselves that in the end, the other choice would scar his children even more so. The mother sums it up when she says to her husband, "I would like to be like you, but I am not."
The cinematography is excellent, because it is not excellent. The low budget look of the film lends to the reality of the situation. It reminds one that, though the story is "fiction", this story has happened.
An excellent, intriguing, thought provoking, film. Everyone plays their part to the fullest.
The plot: The father does an excellent job acting his part. You are both upset at and understanding of the father. His choice to stay in his house is probably the best decision, and hardest decision. It requires a very strong person, who can watch their children be scarred but can remind themselves that in the end, the other choice would scar his children even more so. The mother sums it up when she says to her husband, "I would like to be like you, but I am not."
The cinematography is excellent, because it is not excellent. The low budget look of the film lends to the reality of the situation. It reminds one that, though the story is "fiction", this story has happened.
An excellent, intriguing, thought provoking, film. Everyone plays their part to the fullest.
Good film, nothing's perfect though (this film illustrates this in some ways)
saighton27 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I can't add a whole lot to what people have already said apart from the fact that this is FAR from propaganda. It IS told from the perspective of the occupied Palestinians, but in this film, these are a civilised, educated, privileged family, and somewhat of an ideal for Palestinians to look up to, especially the dignified restraint of the father.
'Private', because the house was private until the soldiers came to occupy it, and 'Private' because the real conflict, (of which the house in the film is a microcosm), is anything BUT private, with the world constantly looking on and preoccupying itself with the conflict in one way or another... Ironic. Nothing is perfect, sometimes the best thing to do in life is get on with what you have, as you can't tell what will happen... I wish both sides in the conflict would realise this and give it a go for a few decades - they've already tried a few decades of conflict...
'Private', because the house was private until the soldiers came to occupy it, and 'Private' because the real conflict, (of which the house in the film is a microcosm), is anything BUT private, with the world constantly looking on and preoccupying itself with the conflict in one way or another... Ironic. Nothing is perfect, sometimes the best thing to do in life is get on with what you have, as you can't tell what will happen... I wish both sides in the conflict would realise this and give it a go for a few decades - they've already tried a few decades of conflict...
Pseydo, but real
kosmasp28 January 2007
Some might argue that this movie rides on the rise of the documentary movies. And while this movie is shot like one, it is very clear that it ain't a documentary. That leads to the question, how real the situations depicted in the movie are? While I can't tell you that, neither can anyone else talk about the situation, if he/she hasn't lived it.
Back to the "reality" of the movie. Although we know that actors play a written scenario, this movie feels more real to me than any reality show on TV (not that I watch them)! Having said that and not wanting to spoil to much of the story, I'll only say that I was impressed with the actors (although I don't think all were professionals).
Especially the guy who played the father. The story really grabbed me and I was amazed by little things. Things that in the western World you'd take for granted, but clearly they're not. At least not for everybody in this world ...
It's not a movie that'll "entertain" you in a funny way, but it might make you think about some things in a different light.
Back to the "reality" of the movie. Although we know that actors play a written scenario, this movie feels more real to me than any reality show on TV (not that I watch them)! Having said that and not wanting to spoil to much of the story, I'll only say that I was impressed with the actors (although I don't think all were professionals).
Especially the guy who played the father. The story really grabbed me and I was amazed by little things. Things that in the western World you'd take for granted, but clearly they're not. At least not for everybody in this world ...
It's not a movie that'll "entertain" you in a funny way, but it might make you think about some things in a different light.
An Overly Mannered Effort to Humanize the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict
noralee26 November 2005
The first half of "Private" is frustrating as a set piece of European intellectualism and inauthenticity strained to establish a logic puzzle mind game, but the second half rises to the level of universal humanity.
There have been many movies about the stubborn old idealist who infuriates his family with his implacability ("Man of La Mancha," "The Field," "Straight Story," etc.) but co-writer/debut director Saverio Costanzo sets this one as a barely-believable Shakespeare-quoting, educated, middle class, secular Palestinian holding on to his house and his very large family amidst the volatility of the West Bank territories.
Each member of the family represents a type that has some similarity to the family in "Raisin in the Sun" -- the exhausted housewife who just wants her kids to be safe, the beautiful eldest, enscarfed daughter who argues against leaving for a European education to the apathetic sports-mad teen boy radicalized by his conflicts with Israelis to the traumatized little girl and the big-eyed curious, adorable little brother.
With much of the film shot in dark as shaky, pseudo-documentary digital video like night vision goggles, the forced comparison to "Diary of Anne Frank" doesn't quite hold up as the family is locked into their living room only at night by occupying Israeli soldiers as it is a principle not survival itself that the father is insisting upon. They seem to have complete daily freedom to shop and go to school (they say "madrassa" on the soundtrack but we see them do math homework not rotely memorize The Koran), but not to host friends.
While the film does well build up the tension of this nightly, stressful ritual, that is also true in nonpolitical hostage films from "Petrified Forest," to "Key Largo," "Desperate Hours," and on and on. The Israeli soldiers are as much types as the soldiers in the TV series "Over There." There's the barking sergeant, the sensitive intellectual and the bored joker just doing his job, but with the casual mention that these frustrated reservists are commuting distance from home, as was seen in "Kippur." The film is also unfair in only hinting at what attacks they, let alone their families at their home towns, have endured from Palestinian civilians to make them so aggressive and jumpy.
While it is ironic that the Palestinians and the Israelis have to speak broken English to each other to communicate, the larger themes are confused in perception to the audience because it is not clear what the participants do and do not understand as most of the conversations are translated for us in the subtitles. This is important because the second half of the film reaches an intriguing point where each side slowly starts to perceive each other as individuals and not as just "the other."
The turning point is when the oldest daughter breaks the rules restricting the family downstairs and spies on the soldiers billeted upstairs. Motivated initially by some kind of revenge fantasy, she is gradually overcome by natural curiosity, and perhaps voyeurism as they are hunky young men, and begins to parse out their relationships from their body language and activities, which she later relates fantastically to her equally curious younger brother. Shot only from her viewpoint, we begin to realize that a narrow sliver is really how each side has been seeing the other all along.
The film leaves no doubt that such insights are brief blips in the ongoing struggles between both sides that leave tragedy in the wake of the continued cycle of miscommunications and misperceptions.
Oddly, this is the second recent Italian film about terrorism (Good Morning, Night (Buongiorno, notte)) that uses a Pink Floyd-related song too heavy-handedly on the soundtrack (here a cover of "Perfect Sense, Part 1" from Roger Waters's Amused to Death).
There have been many movies about the stubborn old idealist who infuriates his family with his implacability ("Man of La Mancha," "The Field," "Straight Story," etc.) but co-writer/debut director Saverio Costanzo sets this one as a barely-believable Shakespeare-quoting, educated, middle class, secular Palestinian holding on to his house and his very large family amidst the volatility of the West Bank territories.
Each member of the family represents a type that has some similarity to the family in "Raisin in the Sun" -- the exhausted housewife who just wants her kids to be safe, the beautiful eldest, enscarfed daughter who argues against leaving for a European education to the apathetic sports-mad teen boy radicalized by his conflicts with Israelis to the traumatized little girl and the big-eyed curious, adorable little brother.
With much of the film shot in dark as shaky, pseudo-documentary digital video like night vision goggles, the forced comparison to "Diary of Anne Frank" doesn't quite hold up as the family is locked into their living room only at night by occupying Israeli soldiers as it is a principle not survival itself that the father is insisting upon. They seem to have complete daily freedom to shop and go to school (they say "madrassa" on the soundtrack but we see them do math homework not rotely memorize The Koran), but not to host friends.
While the film does well build up the tension of this nightly, stressful ritual, that is also true in nonpolitical hostage films from "Petrified Forest," to "Key Largo," "Desperate Hours," and on and on. The Israeli soldiers are as much types as the soldiers in the TV series "Over There." There's the barking sergeant, the sensitive intellectual and the bored joker just doing his job, but with the casual mention that these frustrated reservists are commuting distance from home, as was seen in "Kippur." The film is also unfair in only hinting at what attacks they, let alone their families at their home towns, have endured from Palestinian civilians to make them so aggressive and jumpy.
While it is ironic that the Palestinians and the Israelis have to speak broken English to each other to communicate, the larger themes are confused in perception to the audience because it is not clear what the participants do and do not understand as most of the conversations are translated for us in the subtitles. This is important because the second half of the film reaches an intriguing point where each side slowly starts to perceive each other as individuals and not as just "the other."
The turning point is when the oldest daughter breaks the rules restricting the family downstairs and spies on the soldiers billeted upstairs. Motivated initially by some kind of revenge fantasy, she is gradually overcome by natural curiosity, and perhaps voyeurism as they are hunky young men, and begins to parse out their relationships from their body language and activities, which she later relates fantastically to her equally curious younger brother. Shot only from her viewpoint, we begin to realize that a narrow sliver is really how each side has been seeing the other all along.
The film leaves no doubt that such insights are brief blips in the ongoing struggles between both sides that leave tragedy in the wake of the continued cycle of miscommunications and misperceptions.
Oddly, this is the second recent Italian film about terrorism (Good Morning, Night (Buongiorno, notte)) that uses a Pink Floyd-related song too heavy-handedly on the soundtrack (here a cover of "Perfect Sense, Part 1" from Roger Waters's Amused to Death).
A pained attempt to demonize the Israelis
Brendan36 October 2007
This film does not enlighten viewers to the conflict... it is generic anti-Isreali drivel. The house is an obvious metaphor for the region and the Israelis, of course, are played as the brutish unsympathetic occupiers pushing the poor Palestinians out of their home. The Palestinian family members, with their differing views, are obviously meant to represent the various Palestinian viewpoints. We get it. The metaphor is as subtle as a hammer blow to the head.
This is just more pro Palestinian revisionist history propaganda. Most pro Palestinians either just hate Israel or got their history from the internet. Thinking you are informed on an issue is a lot easier that taking the time and effort to really be informed, as in researching all sides.
It's funny in a sad way that most films that claim to show an even handed view of a conflict always seem to be biased in one way or another.
This is just more pro Palestinian revisionist history propaganda. Most pro Palestinians either just hate Israel or got their history from the internet. Thinking you are informed on an issue is a lot easier that taking the time and effort to really be informed, as in researching all sides.
It's funny in a sad way that most films that claim to show an even handed view of a conflict always seem to be biased in one way or another.
Powerful and rarely told story
madams1231 January 2007
That a film which depicts the reality of so many actually was shown in the US is a huge shift. With a growing desire for many Americans to finally learn about the 40 year illegal occupation of Palestine and the ensuing suffering...this mild film gives a 'peek' of that reality. That ordinary families endure this and worse is not the point, but that so many still fail to comprehend is. I only wish the film got wider distribution and longer theater play time. The viewer experiences increasing tension and angst as there is no sense as to what the next crisis may be or who will be effected. Only the sense of futility and isolation remains. Those with the power continue to arbitrarily allow or end life on the spot whilst those without power can only continue to use reason and intellect to survive. How a people can continue to exist and even succeed academically or emotionally is a testament to the human spirit. This family integrates their parental respect and internal values as too few in the west even comprehend. An excellent cast and exceptional storyline which is rarely if ever seen in the States. Well done!
..WELL DONE!
..WELL DONE!
Finally someone shows the Palestinian drama...
rainking_es15 May 2006
A group of Israelite soldiers occupy the house of a Palestinian family and force them to live locked in one of the rooms while they come and go inside the house. Well, thank goodness someone shows the Palestinian drama (for a change). There are plenty of movies about the Holocaust, there are lots of directors such as Amos Gitai, but only a few of them are telling the truth: and the truth is that Israelites is as terrorist as the Palestinians can be. Israelites use planes and tanks, and the Palestinian use suicide squads. Them both achieve the same: the killing of hundreds of civilians, but the question is: who shot first?? Who occupied Palestina??
"Private" is nothing like a great movie, but it is a great document which explains the complicate situation of that area. Those who don't really care about Israelite/Palestinian conflict won't find much incentive in watching this one.
*My rate: 6/10
"Private" is nothing like a great movie, but it is a great document which explains the complicate situation of that area. Those who don't really care about Israelite/Palestinian conflict won't find much incentive in watching this one.
*My rate: 6/10
One of the most realistic movies on the conflict I have ever seen
salahadeen-587-4894822 October 2011
This is one of the most true, accurate, and realistic movies on the conflict I have ever seen. I have been to Palestine several times in my life, and also know a family who lives in Palestine who actually had this home occupation happen to them in real life. I can say from first hand experience that this film does an incredibly good job with re-recreating the atmosphere life when ones home is occupied by Israeli's soldiers, which believe it or not is a very common thing for many Palestinian families.
The acting is brilliant, and I was truly impressed with how simple, yet powerful the film was. For anyone who would like to TRULY understand the Israeli Palestinian conflict, this film is a must see. It is not a two sided situation like the Israeli revisionists like to make it out to be. It is a one sided situation with the Palestinians being the unfortunate victims of a 60 year military occupation. The Israeli government is one of the most oppressive governments ever to exist, and is easily comparable with the Nazi government and their military occupation of France, which was also a one sided situation with the Jews being the unfortunate victims of the horrific atrocities of the Nazi Regime.
Please do not listen to the folks who erroneously propagate that Israel is the victim. Such people, even though perhaps well intentioned, are in manifest error and probably never even been to Palestine, let alone live there, and this film demonstrates with pin point accuracy the stress that 95% of Palestinian families will go through.
The acting is brilliant, and I was truly impressed with how simple, yet powerful the film was. For anyone who would like to TRULY understand the Israeli Palestinian conflict, this film is a must see. It is not a two sided situation like the Israeli revisionists like to make it out to be. It is a one sided situation with the Palestinians being the unfortunate victims of a 60 year military occupation. The Israeli government is one of the most oppressive governments ever to exist, and is easily comparable with the Nazi government and their military occupation of France, which was also a one sided situation with the Jews being the unfortunate victims of the horrific atrocities of the Nazi Regime.
Please do not listen to the folks who erroneously propagate that Israel is the victim. Such people, even though perhaps well intentioned, are in manifest error and probably never even been to Palestine, let alone live there, and this film demonstrates with pin point accuracy the stress that 95% of Palestinian families will go through.
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