Sharqiya (Arabic for Eastern) is a beautifully shot, full length, feature film, directed by Ami Livne, that premiered
at the Jerusalem Film Festival this past week. The
film offers the viewer a powerful window into Eastern culture,
especially to the interchangeable concepts of home and land.
Two brothers - one married, the other single - are
living in a nameless Bedouin village in the Negev, seemingly in the
middle of nowhere. Although life seems meager, they have no choice but
to work hard to make it better. Living elsewhere is not an option for
the land has belonged to their family for generations.
The two brothers have different approaches to
survival. And there is much tension between them because of this. One of
them has served in the Israeli army, the other blames the soldier
brother for not being around during the hard months after a car accident
took their parents' lives. After being released from the IDF, Kamel
gets a job as a security guard at the central bus station in Bir Saba
(Be'er Sheva). He makes additional money on the side by fixing old
electric items and reselling them. Kamel's brother, on the other hand,
works only in the village. His wife, Nadia, hopes for a better future
and wants to study. This is a point of contention between her and her
husband. Only Kamel understands her.
It quickly becomes clear that their homes have
received demolition orders. Once again, each brother deals with this
situation differently. And Nadia is left to worry. Kamel decides to take
matters into his own hands.
By creating a film that is not relentless or hard to
watch, the director instigates compassion, leaving the viewer to ask
questions. The well-written, reserved yet complex story will undoubtedly
leave you wondering if reality can be this bad. But the truth is,
unfortunately - it is much worse.
Sharqiya is available from EZ Films.
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