Confidencial

In the South of Palestine, the idealistic Professor Mohammad (Mohammed Bakri) is a family man that lives with his wife and five children a simple life in an isolated house. His wife Samia (Areen Omari) wants to leave Palestine but her husband refuses to emigrate to another country and become a refugee. One night, Israeli soldiers commanded by the paranoid Commander Ofer (Lior Miller) break in their house and the peaceful Mohammad needs to control his family that wants to react against the Israeli aggression.

"Private" is a heartbreaking and dramatic story about a Palestinian that has their home, that is supposed to be the safest and the most sacred place of a family, invaded by Israeli soldiers that threaten and humiliate them. The direction and performances are top-notch and the film gives the sensation of documentary. The abusive relationship of the Israeli soldiers with the Palestinian family is very similar to the Nazis and Jews in World War II, Serbs and Croats in the Yugoslav Wars or American and Iraqis in the recent invasion and happens since the very beginning of mankind history between who is in control and who is controlled by the Power that Be. Sad, but it is the reality. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Violação de Domicílio" ("Home Violation")

A group of Israelite soldiers occupy the house of a Palestinian family and force them to live locked in one of the rooms while they come and go inside the house. Well, thank goodness someone shows the Palestinian drama (for a change). There are plenty of movies about the Holocaust, there are lots of directors such as Amos Gitai, but only a few of them are telling the truth: and the truth is that Israelites is as terrorist as the Palestinians can be. Israelites use planes and tanks, and the Palestinian use suicide squads. Them both achieve the same: the killing of hundreds of civilians, but the question is: who shot first?? Who occupied Palestina??

"Private" is nothing like a great movie, but it is a great document which explains the complicate situation of that area. Those who don't really care about Israelite/Palestinian conflict won't find much incentive in watching this one.

*My rate: 6/10

I saw this movie on DVD and was fascinated by the screenplay and how the film was visualised. I could see the pain and horror the Palestinian family had to go through. Being occupied does eventually make you go insane and takes away from you any freedom you have and your left with nothing and you rather be dead than under occupation as the woman says in it. It was a moving piece only that it could have elaborated a bit more on the story. It would have been interesting to see what the Israeli army's story was in the film and exactly why the occupied the house. I recommend everyone to see this extraordinary movie. It's a film that really shows the political and personal effects upon individuals.

That a film which depicts the reality of so many actually was shown in the US is a huge shift. With a growing desire for many Americans to finally learn about the 40 year illegal occupation of Palestine and the ensuing suffering...this mild film gives a 'peek' of that reality. That ordinary families endure this and worse is not the point, but that so many still fail to comprehend is. I only wish the film got wider distribution and longer theater play time. The viewer experiences increasing tension and angst as there is no sense as to what the next crisis may be or who will be effected. Only the sense of futility and isolation remains. Those with the power continue to arbitrarily allow or end life on the spot whilst those without power can only continue to use reason and intellect to survive. How a people can continue to exist and even succeed academically or emotionally is a testament to the human spirit. This family integrates their parental respect and internal values as too few in the west even comprehend. An excellent cast and exceptional storyline which is rarely if ever seen in the States. Well done!

..WELL DONE!

This film does not enlighten viewers to the conflict... it is generic anti-Isreali drivel. The house is an obvious metaphor for the region and the Israelis, of course, are played as the brutish unsympathetic occupiers pushing the poor Palestinians out of their home. The Palestinian family members, with their differing views, are obviously meant to represent the various Palestinian viewpoints. We get it. The metaphor is as subtle as a hammer blow to the head.

This is just more pro Palestinian revisionist history propaganda. Most pro Palestinians either just hate Israel or got their history from the internet. Thinking you are informed on an issue is a lot easier that taking the time and effort to really be informed, as in researching all sides.

It's funny in a sad way that most films that claim to show an even handed view of a conflict always seem to be biased in one way or another.