Jenin, Jenin

This film by an Israeli Arab and partially funded by the P.L.O. seeks to tell the story of what happened in April 2002 in Jenin. The movie is entirely one-sided, and unfortunately a complete exaggeration of the truth. It is interesting to see, because it shows you how Jenin looks and how the people in this city are. It's really confusing because most Westerners think a refugee-camp is just tents but this is a full-fledged city. The movie plays on the media's depiction of events as a "massacre" but the official death count is not stated nor is it alluded to in the film. The film starts more moderate but soon we see anti-Bush and anti-Semetic undertones. It is very unfortunate that the truth could not be told about this event in the film because it is tragic that this conflict continues. Please after viewing this film watch The Road to Jenin by Pierre Rehov, which counter argues every point made in this film including key testimony.

In 2002, April 3rd through 12th, the population OF Jenin, a Palestinian refugee camp and home to some 14 000 people living under strict military curfew, was exposed to a merciless assault by Israeli soldiers, tanks, armored bulldozers, and helicopters. Much of the camp was shot and blown to hell, while an area the size of several football fields in the centre of town was completely leveled, purportedly the gravesite of many hundreds of people. That is the clear aftermath. The exact details of the occupation are still debated, accounts varying from "the Palestinians asked for it" (Israel) to claims of generally bloodthirsty behavior on the part of Israeli soldiers (Palestinians, Red Cross workers, and just about any outsider who's visited the site). "Jenin Jenin" is a documentary lending voice to Jenin's survivors wishing to participate in that debate (which ended up costing it's director his life).

Through "Jenin Jenin", you'll take a stroll though the rubble. You'll listen to shattered people give accounts of brutal murder of their kin that are so horrid, you'll have trouble believing them because you cannot wrap your mind around such carnage being perpetrated by mere men. Except that at one point, you'll see footage apparently shot during the occupation -- footage of captives lined up on the ground and run down by an armoured vehicle. You'll see a young girl with a disturbing cold gaze, and come to understand just how deep her hate for Israel already runs. Ten years old at most, she pledges to do all she can to destroy Israeli lives.

In the end, you'll either declare it all bulls**t, believe the Israeli claims that whatever happened, the Palestinians asked for it, and I'll call you a flaming moron, or you'll want to do something about it but find you can't, your government won't, and you'll hate the world.

This film does mostly what it intends: From the inside of Jenin it documents the Jenin inhabitants tragedies with losses of family members and the struggle against an occupation force. It does not, however, documents the objective FACTS and the objective truth of the events occurred, but merely the facts and truth for the Jenin inhabitants. (If at all such truth about the Jenin event exists?!)

After having seen this movie my knowledge of the event are not much greater, but my knowledge of the stress Palestinians undergo have been greatly enhanced. One has to be very cold-hearted not to feel empathy with people interviewed in this movie, and therefore I rate this movie 8 of 10. Simply because it works.

But notice: If you are watching this movie ONLY for political reasons, remember also to view movies that displays the stress and sorrow for Israeleans victims.

To understand a conflict, is to understand all sides of it.

Excellent and bold documentary, It is very rare to see this kind of brave coverage exposing the crimes committed against the Palestinians. Heart breaking accounts of the events that took place by first hand witnesses. I don't understand some of the reviews saying "it is boring" or "repetitive". You cannot possibly find this film boring if you have any kind of human compassion. And yes, there is some repetitiveness, it is a documentary based on interviews of eye-witnesses who all viewed the same massacre... The film goes beyond explaining the facts and documenting an important event, it also helps the audience understand the impact this massacre had on its victims and survivors.

A must see eye opener for everyone.

Is this a worth while movie to watch?

Just by looking at all the attempts to play it down in various ways by Israelis and friends should indicate that THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY WORTH WHILE taking part of!!! "It's false, fabricated, hatred, one sided and anti-semitic, funded by PLO" they all cry out together joining the ranks with the Isreali Minstery of Foregin Affaris which has published an article "Seven Lies About Jenin" about the movie. That if ANYTHING is a sign that EVERYONE should watch it!

For an Israeli land grabbing, killings, road blocks, invasion and PR cover-ups are all just for the "war" of survival. ANYTHING that questions that method and politics is a treat, anti- semitic and hateful.

but don't take my word for it! SEE THE MOVIE and then make up your own mind! get EDUCATED on all sides of the "holy land"! and don't stop on one side - cross the boarder and hear the arguments from the other side. EITHER OR, SEE THIS MOVIE!

no love without no heart. no heart without respect. no respect without justice. no justice comes from occupation!

: maria