I had the opportunity the other day to watch a documentary film entitled "Encounter Point." The documentary follows several people who are working to bring non-violence in Israel and Palestine. The documentary follows many individuals as they cope with the losses they have endured over the years due to the conflict.
While I wouldn't say necessarily that I felt it was one of the best documentaries I've seen, I would say that it was mind-opening. I feel like I (and perhaps many others who are outside of this conflict) do not think/know exactly what its like to be over in Israel or Palestine. It definitely opened my eyes to the conflict going on over there and the lives it has affected. I feel like the movie could have used a bit more narrative or better tie-ins with the various stories as at times it was often difficult to keep track as many individuals were introduced throughout the film. It definitely gave a new prospective to this war, in that it showed the losses from both sides as well grassroots organizations on both sides trying to garner peace.
The most touching story in the film was the two fathers (one from Israel and the other from Palestine) both have lost daughters due to the conflict over there. They come together at this convention for the bereaved who have lost children and wish to find a way to end the conflict peacefully. I also found the impromptu open forum discussion that a another young man led to be quite enlightening as well. This man had lost his brother, served time in jail, and was visiting his nephew in a hospital, who had been shot by a soldier despite the fact that he was a civilian. The rawness of the conversations that this man had with others who had been injured as civilians and their takes on what steps should be done were completely emotional and was what I hoped the rest of the documentary would have focused on a bit more.
Though I fully realize it was meant to follow the trials the grassroots peace leaders were going to, to help spread the message of non-violence to both sides...it would have been refreshing to also hear a bit more from those who were not yet converted to a existence of non-violence.
Overall I found the movie to be eye opening. Many times they quoted other famous leaders of non-violence (Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela) and how they too started off small and grew to encompass more like minded individuals who wish to achieve peace through non-violent acts. If you are interested in learning about the conflicts between Israel and Palestine or non-violence grassroots organizations around the world hoping to establish peace than I highly recommend this movie. It is definitely worth seeing.
Recommendations:
While I wouldn't say necessarily that I felt it was one of the best documentaries I've seen, I would say that it was mind-opening. I feel like I (and perhaps many others who are outside of this conflict) do not think/know exactly what its like to be over in Israel or Palestine. It definitely opened my eyes to the conflict going on over there and the lives it has affected. I feel like the movie could have used a bit more narrative or better tie-ins with the various stories as at times it was often difficult to keep track as many individuals were introduced throughout the film. It definitely gave a new prospective to this war, in that it showed the losses from both sides as well grassroots organizations on both sides trying to garner peace.
The most touching story in the film was the two fathers (one from Israel and the other from Palestine) both have lost daughters due to the conflict over there. They come together at this convention for the bereaved who have lost children and wish to find a way to end the conflict peacefully. I also found the impromptu open forum discussion that a another young man led to be quite enlightening as well. This man had lost his brother, served time in jail, and was visiting his nephew in a hospital, who had been shot by a soldier despite the fact that he was a civilian. The rawness of the conversations that this man had with others who had been injured as civilians and their takes on what steps should be done were completely emotional and was what I hoped the rest of the documentary would have focused on a bit more.
Though I fully realize it was meant to follow the trials the grassroots peace leaders were going to, to help spread the message of non-violence to both sides...it would have been refreshing to also hear a bit more from those who were not yet converted to a existence of non-violence.
Overall I found the movie to be eye opening. Many times they quoted other famous leaders of non-violence (Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela) and how they too started off small and grew to encompass more like minded individuals who wish to achieve peace through non-violent acts. If you are interested in learning about the conflicts between Israel and Palestine or non-violence grassroots organizations around the world hoping to establish peace than I highly recommend this movie. It is definitely worth seeing.
Recommendations:
- Coming with an open mind - it helps with any documentary, especially a documentary about such a difficult subject to come with an open mind
- Be prepared to read subtitles - unless you don't need to, in which case I recommend turning them off
- It is very emotional- especially with the bereaved parents and when they discuss their children that have died
- The movie is only about 83 minutes long
Definitely check out the films website: http://www.encounterpoint.com/
It has helpful bios of the individuals featured in the film as it can at times be difficult to keep up, as the stories switch rather rapidly. In addition check out the section about the film makers, Ronit Avni and Julia Bacha The film is available at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/), which there is a link to on the website. There are also helpful links if you wish to show in a screening.
Here is the trailer for the movie:
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