Greetings again from the darkness. "Paradise is only in your head". I cannot pretend to comprehend what it must be like for anyone living in the Israeli occupied Palestine nation. The poverty and desperation amongst the rubble and burned/bombed out buildings must suck the spirit right out of even the most dedicated Muslims.
Writer and Director Hany Abu-Assad brings us the story of two close friends who believe themselves to be "already dead". To understand one's willingness to become a suicide bomber, we must understand this concept. Giving one's life for a cause is heroic, but when the cause is a terrorist act, can the act still be interpreted as such. Some Muslims accept the Koran notion of martyrdom to include this "death for the cause".
Kais Nashef and Ali Suliman play best friends Said and Khaled. They have been "chosen" for this mission and are to feel honored. The obstacles that prevent them from succeeding on their first attempt alternate between comedic and sad. Both have doubts and Said even discovers another reason to live ... an attraction to a lively young lady played by Lubna Azabal.
The movie is powerful and insightful until the final 15 minutes when it lapses into propaganda and preachiness. This does not wreck the brilliance of the film's first hour and its earnest attempt to help those like me to understand. You will not believe some of the shots of the city and the contrast with Tel Aviv is again almost comical.
Writer and Director Hany Abu-Assad brings us the story of two close friends who believe themselves to be "already dead". To understand one's willingness to become a suicide bomber, we must understand this concept. Giving one's life for a cause is heroic, but when the cause is a terrorist act, can the act still be interpreted as such. Some Muslims accept the Koran notion of martyrdom to include this "death for the cause".
Kais Nashef and Ali Suliman play best friends Said and Khaled. They have been "chosen" for this mission and are to feel honored. The obstacles that prevent them from succeeding on their first attempt alternate between comedic and sad. Both have doubts and Said even discovers another reason to live ... an attraction to a lively young lady played by Lubna Azabal.
The movie is powerful and insightful until the final 15 minutes when it lapses into propaganda and preachiness. This does not wreck the brilliance of the film's first hour and its earnest attempt to help those like me to understand. You will not believe some of the shots of the city and the contrast with Tel Aviv is again almost comical.