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  Film: Paradise Now October 23, 2005 Reporter : Peter Thompson Director: Hany Abu-Assad  Sam Goldwyn famously said: "Pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union." Most of us genuinely care about the state of the world but we don't want to be preached at, especially when we go to the movies. But that doesn't stop filmmakers tackling difficult, emotionally charged subjects, no matter how divisive. Paradise Now confronts the reality of young men persuaded to sacrifice their lives, and murder innocent people, in pursuit of a political cause. What makes the film remarkable is that it doesn't take sides in a simplistic way. It's a film about character, an intimate portrait of two friends living lives most of us can only imagine.Said and Khaled have known each other since they were boys. They're working in a repair shop but one difficult customer too many pushes Khaled over the edge. Jobs are hard to come by and, for his outburst, Khaled is promptly sacked. Later, they climb the hill overlooking Nablus and share a hookah pipe and some cold tea. They could be a couple of friends anywhere. But this is the West Bank, an enclave within which millions of Palestinians have lived under Israeli occupation for decades. Paradise Now is the fifth film by Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad who lives in the Netherlands. It's a European co-production made with the cooperation of Palestinian and Israeli authorities. Representing the broader context of the story is the character of Suha, a young Palestinian woman raised in France and recently returned to campaign for human rights.  Abu-Assad made the difficult decision to shoot PARADISE NOW in 35-millimetre with a full-sized film crew, despite the dangers and difficulties of moving around the West Bank and Israel in the middle of the ongoing conflict.The result is that the character and atmosphere of the West Bank come vividly to life on screen. The simple fact is that daily life goes on despite the violence and the implication is that, even here, there's much to live for. But all that is to change for Said and Khaled. Recently having volunteered as suicide bombers, they are suddenly called on to act. They are set to die in less than 24 hours. Posing as a family friend, Jamal will stay with Said until tomorrow when he crosses the security barrier into Tel Aviv. But in the early hours of the morning, Said slips away to return Suha's car keys. And she hears him outside her door. The physical attraction between Said and Suha is clear but they see the world very differently. Said can't tell her what's about to happen but he's curiously preoccupied with her father, Abu Azzam, a famous Palestinian martyr. Paradise Now methodically follows the preparations for the planned atrocity. Not even their families can be told but at the same time, the young men must be ritually prepared for death, in accordance with their religious beliefs. The film is loaded with impressive and often chilling detail, like the bomb-maker with no hands. And there's unexpected deadpan comedy when Said and Khaled try to record their suicide notes. The decisive moment gets closer as they leave Nablus, presumably for the last time. We assume that the hotheaded Khaled will act without hesitation and you wonder if the quiet, reflective Said is having doubts. But there's still a long way to go.  There have been some exceptionally strong films this year on similar themes. The German film Downfall about the last days of Hitler, English director Antonia Bird's telemovie The Hamburg Cell about the 9/11 hijackers and the brilliant Israeli film Walk on Water. What they all share is a focus on character and a determination to dig beneath the obvious stereotypes. Whether they're likely to change anything is debatable, but they certainly have the potential to make us see things more clearly. At another level, Paradise Now is simply a rattling good thriller, as well as a vivid and engrossing study of character, powerfully acted by a strong young cast. Highly recommended.For movie session times, visit: ninemsn's Movie Guide |
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