Jenin, Jenin

I've just seen this movie in a public viewing with the director. Disheartning to see that it got such a low score and some viewers find it unrealistic. If it's a lie why did Israel ban this film and persecute its author? Isn't it supposed to be a democratic country? Only on paper I'm afraid. It's about time Israel takes responsibility for its military occupation of Palestine and for its WAR CRIMES instead of shouting antisemitism every time someone dares criticizing their politics. I'm amazed at the courage of the Palestine people, among all the destruction they still manage to send out a message of hope. Totally recommend this documentary but keep an open mind!

This film by an Israeli Arab and partially funded by the P.L.O. seeks to tell the story of what happened in April 2002 in Jenin. The movie is entirely one-sided, and unfortunately a complete exaggeration of the truth. It is interesting to see, because it shows you how Jenin looks and how the people in this city are. It's really confusing because most Westerners think a refugee-camp is just tents but this is a full-fledged city. The movie plays on the media's depiction of events as a "massacre" but the official death count is not stated nor is it alluded to in the film. The film starts more moderate but soon we see anti-Bush and anti-Semetic undertones. It is very unfortunate that the truth could not be told about this event in the film because it is tragic that this conflict continues. Please after viewing this film watch The Road to Jenin by Pierre Rehov, which counter argues every point made in this film including key testimony.

Movie clearly shows the truth of whats happening in Gaza. Five Israeli reserve soldiers suing an Israeli Arab film director they accuse of libeling troops who fought in the battle for the Jenin refugee camp, they accuse Mohammad Bakri of libelously portraying them and their comrades as war criminals in the film Jenin, Jenin, which was recently banned in Israel.

The soldiers are also suing two Israeli cinemas which screened it after its October release, demanding about half-a-million dollars. One of the reservists told the Israeli newspaper.

TRUTH HURTS!

This film does mostly what it intends: From the inside of Jenin it documents the Jenin inhabitants tragedies with losses of family members and the struggle against an occupation force. It does not, however, documents the objective FACTS and the objective truth of the events occurred, but merely the facts and truth for the Jenin inhabitants. (If at all such truth about the Jenin event exists?!)

After having seen this movie my knowledge of the event are not much greater, but my knowledge of the stress Palestinians undergo have been greatly enhanced. One has to be very cold-hearted not to feel empathy with people interviewed in this movie, and therefore I rate this movie 8 of 10. Simply because it works.

But notice: If you are watching this movie ONLY for political reasons, remember also to view movies that displays the stress and sorrow for Israeleans victims.

To understand a conflict, is to understand all sides of it.

Is this a worth while movie to watch?

Just by looking at all the attempts to play it down in various ways by Israelis and friends should indicate that THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY WORTH WHILE taking part of!!! "It's false, fabricated, hatred, one sided and anti-semitic, funded by PLO" they all cry out together joining the ranks with the Isreali Minstery of Foregin Affaris which has published an article "Seven Lies About Jenin" about the movie. That if ANYTHING is a sign that EVERYONE should watch it!

For an Israeli land grabbing, killings, road blocks, invasion and PR cover-ups are all just for the "war" of survival. ANYTHING that questions that method and politics is a treat, anti- semitic and hateful.

but don't take my word for it! SEE THE MOVIE and then make up your own mind! get EDUCATED on all sides of the "holy land"! and don't stop on one side - cross the boarder and hear the arguments from the other side. EITHER OR, SEE THIS MOVIE!

no love without no heart. no heart without respect. no respect without justice. no justice comes from occupation!

: maria