Paradise Now

Do you agree more with the petition to have the film removed as an award nominee or with the counter-petition? What are you reasons for favoring one side over the other?

While I do not particularly agree with the counter-petition I could not support the original petition either. I think the petition to have the film removed as a nominee is swinging the pendulum too far towards censorship. Even though you might not like the message you cannot stop someone from delivering it though acceptable means. I think this is the crux of the issue –Palestinian suicide bombers use unacceptable practices – filmmakers do not.

I don’t agree that the Palestinians have no other means to deliver their message and they movie did not make me sympathetic to the cause of a terrorist. If anything the film was more interesting for it’s portrayal of ordinary people living in an extraordinary situation. I think the creators of the original petition are more afraid that this movie might allow viewers to see that the Palestinians are not all religious fanatics bent on killing all Israelis.

My objection to the counter-petition is the statement that “The movie outlines the struggle Palestinians face under the Israeli occupation and how the use of their bodies has become the only form of resistance made available to them”. I don’t believe this statement is true; even though they have the right to express their opinion, I don’t feel I could sign a document that makes this type of declaration.

One of my random questions/thoughts on the Israel/Palestine issue is: if the Palestinians spent more time and money spinning the press than perpetuating violence would they have a better chance at the equality that they are looking for?

What was your reaction to Khaled’s first taped statement?
Khaled’s first taped message angered me. It is full of ‘angry young man’ rhetoric and half truths that ensure the recruitment of the next bomber. My anger is directed more at the organizers of these missions than the bombers themselves. The people who agitate and provoke these young men to perform such inconceivable acts are as guilty if not more so than the bomber himself.
The second take of the message seemed much more natural, more of the real Khaled than the first one. This second take makes me wonder if Khaled is going on this mission because he really believes in it or because he has been led to believe that this is the only answer.