Budrus

Yet another clear-eyed, intelligent and affecting documentary on the heartbreaking, seemingly endless conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.

In this case the subject is the title town, where the Israelis – for seemingly no good reason – have decided to erect their 'wall of separation' not along the natural green line border outside the enclave, but cutting right through the heart of this small rural town, dividing the cemetery, and forcing the digging up of farmland and ancient olive trees that provide many in the town with their only income. Whether ignorance, political strategy or simple cruelty on the part of the Israeli government is never really explained (a slight weak spot in the film).

But the film is detailed and insightful in tracing how the townspeople - led by soft-spoken community organizer Ayed Morrar - stand up to the mighty Israeli border army in a non- violent way, eventually earning supporters from around the world including younger liberal Israelis, who come and join in the protests, so the conflict evolves from Arab against Jew into human beings against the army and cold, indifferent bureaucracy. Perhaps in that re- alignment lies the seeds of a human solution for the larger conflict that the people of both sides can not only accept, but even embrace.

This documentary will be an eye-opener for many Americans. It tells the story of an on-going non-violent protest movement on the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories. The movement has been created and led by Palestinians--a people often portrayed as terrorists or fanatics by the Western media. Some intrepid international activists as well as some Israelis have joined the movement, but the focus of this film is on the Palestinians.

The film portrays the actual protests and the response by the Israeli military. Just as interesting are numerous brief interviews with many people including the leaders of the protests, an Israeli activist and an Israeli military leader on the ground (who I began to suspect was probably later fired, as his comments were damning as well as humorous). Many people might be shocked to see a Hamas member talk about the value of non-violent protest and how he has met progressive Jews whom he now views as comrades. Not a bearded mullah, he is a math teacher.

The protests I believe were filmed in 2003, but this movement against the Israeli theft of Palestinian land continues on the West Bank. Since it is rarely covered by the Western media, this film may be your only chance to get a good look at it.

In the earlier 2000's, Israel decided to build a security barrier inside the occupied Palestinian territory. The project would make the Budrus town of 1,500 residents lose 300 acres of land that belonged to the population for many generations; 3,000 sacred olive trees; divide the cemetery; and be located close to the school. Fatah leader Ayed Morrar organizes a non-violent resistance against the wall, and his teenage daughter Iltezam Morrar joins women in the movement. Hamah and other political Palestinian groups also join the manifestation. Soon Jews youngsters join the resistance when they learn what is happening with the Palestinians, and last but not the least, international press arrives at Budrus to cover the resistance and the abuses of the Israeli soldiers. Ten months later, Israel changes the route of the barrier affecting the minimum of Budrus.

"Budrus" (2009) is a mandatory documentary of an invasion ignored by the media at least in Brazil. Brazilian documentarist Julia Bacha makes a magnificent work, awarded in fifteen festivals. It is beautiful seeing political groups in Palestina side-by-side with Israeli manifestants and treating each other as brothers as it would be. The teenage Iltezam Morrar is also amazing, showing the importance of women in a sexist country. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Budrus"