neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Divine Intervention
	Elia Suleiman Elia Suleiman, Manal Khader, Nayef Fahoum Daher 2001		An unlikely by-product of the situation that inspired it, "Divine Intervention" is an undeniably funny, frequently distressing mix of comedy and tragedy revolving around the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This provocative, pessimistic and unquestionably political movie is the work of Palestinian writer/director Elia Suleiman, who also appears in "Divine Intervention" as a filmmaker not unlike himself. Suleiman's character, who lives in Jerusalem, is suffering brain-lock over a screenplay. He travels to the parking lot of a West Bank checkpoint to meet with his lover (Manel Khader) from Ramallah, and visits his father, an elderly man hospitalized by a stress-related collapse. In the meantime, various people on all sides of the strife, whether Israelis, Palestinians or Palestinian Israelis, cope with the frustrations of a stagnant, often deadly impasse. "Divine Intervention" isn't really agit-prop; it's more a statement of longing and dread over the slim prospects for peace. Despite filming scenes as dryly droll as the routines of comic actor/director Jacques Tati, Suleiman fearlessly unleashes moments of fantasy built from rage.