The Attack

"The Attack" is an excitingly refreshing view of the Israeli Palestinian crisis with dark overtones and deep insight to this hotbed area of the world. It is Written by Ziad Doueiri, and Joelle Touma. It is directed by Ziad Doueiri. The story revolves around an Arab surgeon receiving living and working at a hospital in Israel. He receives the high medal of honor from his scientific colleagues when his phone rings. This initiates the search for the reason his wife, whom he has lived with for fifteen years, has become a terrorist. Without spoiling the plot, I can only urge you to see this movie on the grounds that it will promote a deeper understanding of the strength of the emotional overlay on either side of the border. In addition it contains some spectacular cinematography of the Holy Land with with awe inspiring aerial shots.

An Arabic Israeli surgeon has his life turned upside-down after learning that a loved one has committed a shocking act.

This film is a strong drama while it also takes on a current conflict that continues to be controversial. It is also praiseworthy for seeming not to take sides by the end. In the middle section, it seems to create a negative picture on one side of the conflict only to later expose understanding for that particular side.

While the overall effect can be a downer, this is likely appropriate as this conflict seems unending. There also seems to be a feeling of incompleteness in understanding the motive of a major character who commits a shocking act. But this film's greatest praise could be that it shows sympathy for those truly stuck in the middle: Arabic Israelis who want to integrate into Israeli society while still maintaining a link to their own heritage.

A bit more background on the conflict and the couple's relationship would of been beneficial. Also, the Jenin massacre never happened; even left wing Wikipedia admits this 'Stories of hundreds of civilians being killed in their homes as they were demolished spread throughout international media. Subsequent investigations found no evidence to substantiate claims of a massacre, and official totals from Palestinian and Israeli sources confirmed between 52 and 54 Palestinians, mostly gunmen, and 23 IDF soldiers as having been killed in the fighting.'

While the movie presents in general an unbiased and, for the most part balanced, view of the mutual Israeli - Palestinian misunderstandings, for lack of a better word, I feel that at least on one occasion the director missed to give a counterargument to an obviously fanatic Palestinian religious priest figure's assertion to the effect that the Jews do not belong in "their" territory. Nevertheless, the director does a masterful work in depicting the deep and troublesome moral issues faced by those brave individuals who attempt to bridge the chasm dividing the two "adversaries". The photography and acting are outstanding to say the least.

However, it is most unfortunate, if not morally criminal, for the Arab League, I believe, to ban this movie on the absurd grounds that it was filmed in Israel, and not in "Palestine". This action just adds further insult to injury.

This film is highly recommended.

At times, our world seems littered with random acts of violence. Just a glimpse at any newspaper will sadly confirm that statement. A tragic event can befall anyone. Anytime. Anyplace. Suddenly, one's life can veer from happiness to despair within seconds. The senselessness of a violent act and the unending repercussions that follow will permanently change that life and send one reeling with questions in search of inexplicable answers. That is the premise of the Ziad's Doueiri's taut mystery thriller, The Attack.

Amin Jaafari (Ali Suliman), a successful Arab doctor living in Israeli, receives the tragic news that his wife, Kim (Reymond Amsalem), has died as a result of a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, only to discover later that his wife may have been the actual bomber. As Amin searches for the truth, he begins to question their former relationship, the political and religious unrest between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and the evil act itself.

This Lebanese film looks at the on-going Arab-Israeli conflict in realistic terms and tries to show both sides without a judgmental knee-jerk reaction. The director sensitively handles this material with much directness and foresight. He rarely flinches from the brutality and blind-sighted extremism that permeates both factions. (Yet this film has been banned from Israeli and many Arab countries due to its controversial subject matter, a reprehensible act which I find troubling and disgraceful in that many will not see this powerful and thought- provoking film.)

Doueiri and Joelle Touma co-scripted this drama based on Yasmina Khadra's novel and the results are literate and quite gripping. As Amin slowly unravels the clues to his wife's possible participation in this heinous crime, the audience is expertly drawn into this complicated ordeal with strong acting, especially by Suliman and Ansalem and Doueiri's solid direction. (Some of the clues do lack the element of surprise and seem a bit too obvious once revealed.)

But The Attack attacks its subject with an honesty and skillfulness that allows moviegoers to contemplate the actions of radicals and fanatics that continue to cause harm to so many innocent victims, shouting their political rants under the guise of religion. There are many powerful scenes containing violent images that show the carnage and destruction caused by years of hatred and revenge. The film elicits emotional debate with its well-developed characters and its straightforward confrontations that build to a stunning denouncement.

The Attack accomplishes its mission head-on and all those involved in this production should be commended for their courage and efforts. This solemn film is unafraid to deal with the complex issue of terrorism, even if fear and animosity have run amok in our changing world. The Attack needs to be seen. GRADE: B+

NOTE: The censorship of this important film only emphasizes the length that controlling government officials and religious zealots will go to to silence its people and promote their irrational agendas to perpetuate this endless cycle of violence. Hopefully, films like The Attack will, one day, bring about some peace and understanding that everyone deserves. Unfortunately, for now, the war rages on.