A Mountain And A Lemon Tree

My friend Karen today mentioned two films that she recently saw, films I recommended. One of them was "North Face", a film about a German climbing team's 1936 attempt to conquer the north face of the Eiger on behalf of their country. The other is set in Israel and called "Lemon Tree", the story of a conflict that arises between the Secretary of Defense of Israel who moves into his new home, and his neighbor, a Palestinian widow, whose family's lemon grove is considered a security threat.

The North Face: ***

Two young soldiers in the German army, avid Alpinists, leave the army to take on the north face of the Eiger. Their love of climbing and conquering, wrapped into their friendship and relationship, ultimately drew them to make their attempt on the Eiger, although the politics and nationalistic fervor of the time also contributed to their decision. Though based on historical events, some latitude was taken with the story.

Karen mentioned that the whole time she watched the movie, she was clutching her husband's arm, and that is precisely the feeling evoked in you as you watch it. The suspense of the moment, places the viewer right there beside the climbers, braving the elements alongside them, not knowing what the next moment will bring; though unlike them, we the viewers, are safely ensconced in the comfort and security of our homes. It is a film that brings home how small and insignificant we appear when compared to the implacability and grandeur of nature's elements. It captures that feeling within man to conquer the unconquerable. The desires of these two young men will resonate with those who share the same adventurous mind-frame and heart. And to those of us armchair adventurers, who would much rather sit at home and snuggle up in our couches, it allows us a brief moment right beside them on their journey. This is not a movie for the faint of heart, or for those wanting a happy ending. It is taut, gripping, suspenseful, dramatic and tragic. Well done.

Lemon Tree: *****

This beautifully acted film, is what I consider a true five star "Jem". Hiam Abbas, in her portrayal of a dignified Palestinian woman Salma, who seeks to prevent the destruction of her family's lemon grove, is a treasure to behold. Her dialogue is in her expressions, her movement, her physicality, and yes, in her words. But it is not just Hiam Abbass that makes this movie shine, there is a tremendous cast of actors that help bring it to life. This story is loosely based on an actual event that took place, however it was an olive grove in lieu of a lemon grove.

The story is about what happens to this solitary palestinian woman's life when the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Navon moves in next door. The lemon grove is quickly characterized as a threat to the Minister and his family. A place of vulnerability in his security. To him it represents a weak point in a strong defense, something that needs to be taken care of. To this solitary palestinian widow, it is the heart of her family. It is their history, heritage and life. Her daily joy, providence and purpose. It is all that she has known. Her husband is gone, her daughter married and living elsewhere, her son, living his own life in America. This is all that is left her, what she understands and knows. When the attempt is made to raze down the grove, she takes legal action and appeals to Israel's judicial system. She does not resort to violence, but instead takes her fight to the courts. The minister's wife, Mira, sympathizes with the woman, and the movie captures their silent communication in glances, tentative smiles and nods. Mira herself leads a solitary existence, with her husband constantly away fulfilling his duties, she finds herself alone for the most part. Their daughter studying in the US is her sole contact at times, with the exception of her security detail, and even that is rare. Perhaps she sees in her neighbors life a purpose and simpleness, that has escaped hers in the politics of her husbands position. Perhaps she relates to the solitariness of her neighbors walk, but ultimately she supports her neighbor in her fight to keep her lemon grove intact. The movie watches this case go to the Israeli High Court, where the decision comes in favor of the countries security. A wall is built that completely hides the grove from the sight of it's neighbors, but the grove itself is razed down as well. The wall represents so much in that area of conflict:  Safety, separation, division, and a breakdown of communication and understanding.  This is a movie about life. In this small issue is captured a wealth of larger issues. A review by Joel Leydon of the Israeli News Agency captures this brilliantly. I encourage you to read his review.

I hope you enjoy these two movies, and look forward to hearing your own comments with regard to them.