This is a movie that will bring you great delight, if you have a bit of patience; each scene is full of meaning, metaphors, symbols, and overwhelming beauty. Beauty of a country field or of an empty city, of the passers-by who seem on a catwalk, or of the nostalgic music. But it's not just pleasure, it's also fun and troubling at the same time, warning about the absurd taking over in all societies, about the disconnection in the middle of the crowd, about the fate of the artist who is left aside. There is hope though, as long as there are still people who care and who don't give up, like the director himself, faithful to his artistic choices, despite the pressure to take sides. The soul untamed by rules, like the angel chased by police in one scene. Oh, and the irony is everywhere, maybe at its best when Gael's character steps in. Pure joy of watching a movie with a heart. Definitely for authentic cinema lovers.
37 Reviews
Is Palestinian comedy an Oxymoron?
conannz5 August 2019
Maybe the best response for an absurdist situation is to reflect back that same puzzlement. I suspect the "p" word puts off many viewers who want to watch a film without too many arguments. The idea that some kind "Buster Keaton persona" could be present at so many bizarre situations without launching an obvious rant of some kind is a tidy conceit.
Most of the time - that stance works. It does get stretched a bit thin as the locus moves from Nazareth to Paris and New York. Apparently Montreal was a location too but that wasn't obvious. That may have been intentional.
The film maker appears to be asking us to makes some comparisons between international scenarios and the Palestinian politics. There is very little spoken dialogue in the film itself.
I liked the music and the general keystone cops sequence in Central Park but some of the other sequences are a bit more cryptic. On the whole the film does a great job of setting expectations and then flipping them for comic effect. Some of that comes across as self parody.
There are genuinely funny moments. I saw this at a film festival and I was delighted by it. It did make me think some more about the absurdity of the modern media and the milking of outrage rather than the more important discourse that we never quite get to.
Most of the time - that stance works. It does get stretched a bit thin as the locus moves from Nazareth to Paris and New York. Apparently Montreal was a location too but that wasn't obvious. That may have been intentional.
The film maker appears to be asking us to makes some comparisons between international scenarios and the Palestinian politics. There is very little spoken dialogue in the film itself.
I liked the music and the general keystone cops sequence in Central Park but some of the other sequences are a bit more cryptic. On the whole the film does a great job of setting expectations and then flipping them for comic effect. Some of that comes across as self parody.
There are genuinely funny moments. I saw this at a film festival and I was delighted by it. It did make me think some more about the absurdity of the modern media and the milking of outrage rather than the more important discourse that we never quite get to.
My first Elia Suleiman film
MarcoParzivalRocha30 July 2020
Elia Suleiman plays himself, while traveling through different places and making comparisons with his homeland, Palestine. It's full of symbolism and irony. It's a subtle comedy, but brilliant in the key points. To take advantage of everything that you see, you need to have a bit of knowledge about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to understand the little things and comparisons with the other societies seen in the film. The photography is beautiful, the film lives by it (there is practically no dialogue in the film), with perfect symmetry between scenes. I did not find anything pretentious about this, as some have pointed out, but rather a different way of romanticizing a delicate subject of great significance for the director.
A delight
drpunkrock19 December 2019
If you have the patience for the editing style and the focus on symbolism without much dialogue then you will have a great time. I laughed a lot about this Tati-like observer watching one absurd scene after the next. The humor has a deadpan Jarmusch-style delivery that draws you in at first and then makes you laugh throughout the movie. Most of the scenes pose as symbols for European culture, the situation in the Middle-East and the lack of a proper home for Palaestinians. There are more layers. With one viewing you will not get every aspect of it but that is totally fine. It is still a delight.
Maybe a comedy, definitely not about peace in the middle east
duckburg27 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Elia continues his brand of cinematic stream of consciousness. This one is an extremely subtle film that's hiding under obvious comedic veil.
I don't have many words to express how good this actually is, and I don't feel an urge to discuss my explanation of some of the scenes because that would be a waste of time.
It's a very "meta" film, from a true voyeur in an image-obsessed world. Homage from Elia to himself, Jacques Tati, and imperfect symmetry. Imperfect symmetry has been the visual key in a seemingly random collage of a story.
Oh, and people are absolutely clueless. And Elia probably hates Twitter and notifications.
The soundtrack is amazing as usual, but the editing is something else; unbelievably good.
Thanks Elia of Nazareth, with all the conclusions a word might have.
I don't have many words to express how good this actually is, and I don't feel an urge to discuss my explanation of some of the scenes because that would be a waste of time.
It's a very "meta" film, from a true voyeur in an image-obsessed world. Homage from Elia to himself, Jacques Tati, and imperfect symmetry. Imperfect symmetry has been the visual key in a seemingly random collage of a story.
Oh, and people are absolutely clueless. And Elia probably hates Twitter and notifications.
The soundtrack is amazing as usual, but the editing is something else; unbelievably good.
Thanks Elia of Nazareth, with all the conclusions a word might have.
OCD satisfying, but not the right message I believe.
ferasco10019 May 2020
Beautifully shot end edited! I felt the story is incomplete. felt like hours and waiting for something to happen. Disappointed with the ending. it could have been great!
as a Palestinian living in Palestine, it doesn't reflect reality as it is.
Brilliant
Marwan-Bob15 December 2019
This is the right movie for anyone who is tired of "modern" comedies. Aside from its stunning Cinematography and extremely clever use of Music (the film has nearly no dialogue), its humour is highly intelligent, not always obvious, and i must say that i was delighted to see it on the big screen.
A new Jacques Tati
reviloboo10 December 2019
Must watch
chrismise13 January 2020
How to speak about Palestine with comedy?
Suleiman uses absurdity to reflect about the contradictions in New York and Paris. Militarism, exile as seen in his homeland are elsewhere.
The movie is beautifuly directed and edited.
Suleiman uses absurdity to reflect about the contradictions in New York and Paris. Militarism, exile as seen in his homeland are elsewhere.
The movie is beautifuly directed and edited.
3 similarities of the city
Tosun_pasa13 March 2020
The movie should have ended after 20 mins
ncsilla-2824715 December 2020
It was one of the most boring movies I have ever seen. The beginning was fine I would even say interesting but after that it just kept on repeating itself. It might be funny for someone who knows a lot more about Palestine but for a person who knows nothing this movie will have no effect. Some shots were nice but most were over exposed and you couldn't even see what was happening. The acting of the director was lame he just stares at everything than leaves if he is not saying anything I would have expected a little bit more from the mimics. And the ending doesn't fit together with the rest of the movie. Overall bad experience. I wouldn't recommend.
Amazingly beautiful, smart and unusual
zeionara5 April 2020
Extremely enjoyed watching this as it is not similar to any other movie and brings it's own language to ironically talk about eternal problems of a human in particular who is looking for a better place and community in general which struggles to be organised well.
It Must Be Heaven - review
jackcameron-635496 April 2020
Elia Suleiman is trying to make a film about his native Palestine. It'll be about the conflict, but with a focus on the people living through it, and it'll be a comedy. To get it financed he must travel to Paris and then New York. The result is It Must Be Heaven, an absolute treat of a film.
Suleiman places himself at the center of the film as an (almost) silent spectator. There's a touch of Buster Keaton about him as he passively observes small vignettes from life: farmers tell him stories; combatants run past him; neighbours help one another. However, what Suleiman is really doing is lending us his eyes. He's inviting the audience to see what he sees, and then reflect, while he stands by silently.
As he travels across the globe the scenes vary in nature, but throughout there is a recurring presence of both kindness and aggression. Movements are also repeated and mirrored. While the action is exaggerated there is still a strict precision to the framing. Characters move in straight lines, or circles, always keeping the frame balanced. This is all designed to catch our eye and encourage us to really look at what we're seeing. The film may present caricatures but in reality, it's a reflection on how the West is seen and it questions how the West sees itself. Suleiman finally brings the attention back to Palestine where, despite everything, there is just as much life here as anywhere else.
At once very gentle and thoroughly engrossing, this is a film that's both funny and thought-provoking and, like the mark of all good films, the more you watch it the more you will see. Utilising the universal language of silent cinema, Suleiman has made a film about Palestine that is universally relatable. A small, understated gem.
Suleiman places himself at the center of the film as an (almost) silent spectator. There's a touch of Buster Keaton about him as he passively observes small vignettes from life: farmers tell him stories; combatants run past him; neighbours help one another. However, what Suleiman is really doing is lending us his eyes. He's inviting the audience to see what he sees, and then reflect, while he stands by silently.
As he travels across the globe the scenes vary in nature, but throughout there is a recurring presence of both kindness and aggression. Movements are also repeated and mirrored. While the action is exaggerated there is still a strict precision to the framing. Characters move in straight lines, or circles, always keeping the frame balanced. This is all designed to catch our eye and encourage us to really look at what we're seeing. The film may present caricatures but in reality, it's a reflection on how the West is seen and it questions how the West sees itself. Suleiman finally brings the attention back to Palestine where, despite everything, there is just as much life here as anywhere else.
At once very gentle and thoroughly engrossing, this is a film that's both funny and thought-provoking and, like the mark of all good films, the more you watch it the more you will see. Utilising the universal language of silent cinema, Suleiman has made a film about Palestine that is universally relatable. A small, understated gem.
12th BIFFES Review: It Must Be Heaven / Funny, Overlong Monologue / 4 Stars
nairtejas4 March 2020
It Must Be Heaven is sometimes funny. Other times, the conveyed point flies over your head, especially if you have no idea about the context that director Elia Suleiman wants those sequences to be taken in. Which involves the long-lasting identity crisis of Palestine and its differences with the nation of Israel and others. But even if you were well-versed with the context, the deadpan delivery of the story where Suleiman (in character) goes around in different cities to observe the parallels between his and other countries is slightly inaccessible. Throughout the film, I was looking at my watch to make the movie end sooner but it didn't happen as the story went around in circles and never becoming as funny as the opening sequence. TN.
(Watched and reviewed at the 12th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES).)
(Watched and reviewed at the 12th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES).)
A royal buffet
teharatats19 October 2019
Imagine. Dali, Goya, Magritte mix together well for swirls of irony, humor, grimness. Add the otherworldliness of The Matrix, the schizophrenic gaze of Gene Wilder. Out of Palestine comes this magic mirror, crafted with seamless skill. Let it bother you.
Just skip the last 5 minutes of this movie
boy_nexttou8 January 2020
An absurdist comedy
wickedmikehampton16 December 2020
Dir Elia Suleiman has only made 4 movies in the past 24 years and the first three were a thematic trilogy. 'Time That Remains', the third, moved me, telling how the Palestinians of Nazareth lost, and then adapted to their occupation by Israel. His previous two, which also won awards in Europe, are on my I-want-to-watch-list.
'It Must Be Heaven' is as close to that seriousness as Woody Allen is to being a soldier... yet serious in conclusion. I mention Allen because the character in 'It Must Be Heaven' is as quirky... and is played by Suleiman himself. Instead of drama, it's a comedy with a philosophical point.
Suleiman is a silent character travelling to different places, observing human absurdities that make him realise that the world isn't that different to Palestine.
Consider this as the Palestinian companion to 'A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence'. Albert Camus would be proud.
'It Must Be Heaven' is as close to that seriousness as Woody Allen is to being a soldier... yet serious in conclusion. I mention Allen because the character in 'It Must Be Heaven' is as quirky... and is played by Suleiman himself. Instead of drama, it's a comedy with a philosophical point.
Suleiman is a silent character travelling to different places, observing human absurdities that make him realise that the world isn't that different to Palestine.
Consider this as the Palestinian companion to 'A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence'. Albert Camus would be proud.
Elia Anderson Sulaiman
molkiahmad29 May 2020
It's my first Elia Sulaiman movie so as an Arabic I'm impressed
It is very obvious how much he's obsessed with Tati and Roy Anderson ! In some of the scenes I would imagine myself watching " a pigeon sat on a branch reflecting on existence"
However, he managed to make his own touches and give a lot of Arabic thought to the script
His impression and facial expression were perfect
The music was very good and tasteful
But my favorite is the neighbors resemblance..
good
shiguangmimi20 April 2020
From the perspective of a Palestinian, he didn't use a single line, but his expression and experience were enough to let the audience appreciate the customs and strange things of Palestine, France and the United States. Finally, he realized that only the place where his heart is calm is paradise.
Boring and pretentious
hherschander10 May 2020
This is a 1h40 film that requires the patience of a 3h film
Anass-gfx24 April 2020
Elia Suleiman takes us with him in his journey, through palestine his motherland, Paris and NY. Using the art of blocking in almost all of his shots portraying beauty, irony and social satire along with nostalgic soundtrack on the background.
This is a 1h40 film that requires the patience of a 3h film, and I regret not seeing it on the big screen.
This is a 1h40 film that requires the patience of a 3h film, and I regret not seeing it on the big screen.
Absolute nonsense -in a good way
cesminigar12 March 2020
My first time with this director, and didn't have any prior knowledge about his works. There probably were hundreds of allusions and hidden messages in the film, of which I couldn't get any. It was occassionally funny. Most of the scenes were pleasing to watch. And finally, I liked the musics.
Political Subliminal message
kidjej23 May 2020
This is justification of IsraHell's tyranny against Palestinians.
Trying to show that other countries and societies are militarised so Israel is no exception. Yeah, right.
From art point of view: boring and pretentious as others have also mentioned.
Trying to show that other countries and societies are militarised so Israel is no exception. Yeah, right.
From art point of view: boring and pretentious as others have also mentioned.
Elia Suleiman's amusingly observatory gaze
kawtharffathalla24 May 2023
Elia Suleiman's amusingly observatory gaze in a silent journey rich with reflective surrealism and parallel absurdities while exploring senses of identity and belonging as a Palestinian.
The movie moves in a flow where it allows you to fully observe, pay attention and analyze the smallest details, and explore through Suleiman's eyes and thoughts which activates every bit of curiosity in you. It's fascinating how the scenes are full of imaginative pauses, takings a moment to look at mundane acts in life from a different and more profound perspective.
It's striking how the movie portrays relatability in completely unrelated and structureless scenes but builds a narrative flow to connect between the journey stops in his search for the ordinary. And the way Palestine follows Elia everywhere he goes paints a bigger picture of his identity and level of nationalism, and despite the distance the various chasing hidden authoritative threats remain visible in his sight connecting him back to his homeland.
Every scene carries its load of symbolism spoken through minimal and sarcastic dialogue, with a strong emphasis on repeating common visual, sound, and thematic elements painting breathtaking imagery in powerful frames.
The movie moves in a flow where it allows you to fully observe, pay attention and analyze the smallest details, and explore through Suleiman's eyes and thoughts which activates every bit of curiosity in you. It's fascinating how the scenes are full of imaginative pauses, takings a moment to look at mundane acts in life from a different and more profound perspective.
It's striking how the movie portrays relatability in completely unrelated and structureless scenes but builds a narrative flow to connect between the journey stops in his search for the ordinary. And the way Palestine follows Elia everywhere he goes paints a bigger picture of his identity and level of nationalism, and despite the distance the various chasing hidden authoritative threats remain visible in his sight connecting him back to his homeland.
Every scene carries its load of symbolism spoken through minimal and sarcastic dialogue, with a strong emphasis on repeating common visual, sound, and thematic elements painting breathtaking imagery in powerful frames.
See also
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