Al Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine

Al Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine (2014) was directed by Connie Field. (Note that Al Helm is not a person--it means "the dream" in Arabic.)

The playwright of a play about Martin Luther King brings his talent and the talent of African-American gospel singers to Palestine. We expect a feel-good movie about how good will can overcome problems of language and custom, as a Palestinian director, and local actors, tour with this play through occupied Palestine. That's not what we get.

Yes, there is some reaching out by people of both cultures, but it isn't as simple as that. The Palestinian director changes the play in major ways. He believes that Palestinians won't react to the play in the same way that audiences would react to it in the United States. The U.S. playwright is furious.

The gospel singers are from a church that strongly supports Israel in every aspect of domestic and international policy. What the singers learn is that many things the Israelis do are unjust and unfair. There's a system reminiscent of Jim Crow everywhere in the occupied territories.

There's humor in this movie, but it's not a comedy. It's a documentary that deals with harsh realities. There's hope, but there's tragedy as well.

This film was shown at the Little Theatre in Rochester, NY, as part of the excellent Witness Palestine Film Series. It will work on the small screen as well. If you care at all about the Israeli/Palestinian situation, you should see this film. The play and the choir are great bonuses, but the basic problems are still there.