A controversy over the movie 'Miral'
The film "Miral," based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Palestinian author Rula Jebreal, is scheduled to have its U.S. premiere tonight at the United Nations. But the American Jewish Committee has called for the screening to be cancelled, saying that the film portrays Israel negatively.
Director Julian Schnabel, who is Jewish, disagreed, saying: "I love the state of Israel. I believe in it, and my film is about preserving it, not hurting it. Understanding is part of the Jewish way, and Jewish people are supposed to be good listeners. But if we don't listen to the other side, we can never have peace."
That's according to a report in our sibling blog 24 Frames. Producer Jon Kilik added: "We are surprised and saddened that the American Jewish Committee would prejudge 'Miral' and move to block the showing of the film.... We made this film in order to encourage the very dialogue that the AJC seems to want to prevent. We hope the AJC will come to the premiere instead of trying to cancel it."
Author Rula Jebreal is scheduled to join Schnabel, journalist Mona Eltahawy, Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of Clal, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and Yonatan Shapira, co-founder of Combatants for Peace and a former captain in the Israeli Air Force Reserves in a discussion after the film tonight moderated by Dan Rather.
The book "Miral," published by Penguin, has been in bookstores since November -- but didn't stir quite as much controversy as the film, which is scheduled for release March 25.
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Toronto 2010: 'Miral' director Julian Schnabel: I'm confounded by the ideological criticisms
-- Carolyn Kellogg
Lost all respect for Schnabel on this one. He seemed like an amature artist
at best on this one. Don't waste your pennies.
Posted by: Joe | March 15, 2011 at 12:24 AM
What a great opportunity for Americans to put to finally see the life Palestinians face. Thank you.
Posted by: Mark | March 15, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Funny how they have time to make a movie when they seem to like to spend their time stabbing families to death.
Stabbing babies and little children is becoming the Palestinians favorite past time.
Posted by: Alan Davidson | March 15, 2011 at 11:47 AM
The Israelis do not recognize the existence of the Palestinians, nor that they have any human rights. Worse, they don't want anyone to learn those facts.
Nothing can improve in the hell they've made of that slice of the holy land that is the Earth until we see through their censorship, and halt their land and water theft and inhuman treatment of the Palestinians. Only then will anyone there live above the degraded existence of the war zone.
Posted by: Native Angeleno | March 15, 2011 at 12:26 PM
The killer of the Itamar is still unknown, how many palestinians died a week before Itamar, ha?
Posted by: Ahmad Ayase | March 17, 2011 at 09:39 AM
and keep in mind they are settlers, they lived in an internationally illegal and occupied land, they put themselves in this position.. no Palestinian can breach a settlement and kill a whole family, the alarm went off and haven't been caught.. it's impossible and what makes it more impossibly impossible that if he's a Muslim he won't kill a kid or a woman, that's not Islam.
Posted by: Ahmad Ayase | March 17, 2011 at 09:40 AM
There are tragic murders all over the world, why is it that defenders of Israel focus so much on this case and completely ignore all the palistinians that have died at the hands of Israel?Could it be that they only value the lives of Israelies?
Posted by: Robert | March 21, 2011 at 07:58 PM
It's about time Israel is put in a bad light, mainstream media refuses to say tell the horrifying atrocities perpetrated, on a daily basis, against the palestinians. Why is it never front page news when the IDF shoots a 9 year old boy in the head or a empties and entire magazine into a 13 year old girl (and of course the soldier was found not guilty of murder) and no these kids were not "militants" What's the American Jewish Committee afraid of exactly? The the true nature of Israel will come to light?
Posted by: AP | March 24, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Israel is in an identity crisis over its relationship with its Arab neighbours, whether to hold them accountable for the terrorist attacks (Hebron 1929 - Itamar 2011), support of the Nazis back in the 30s and 40s (Hajj Amin al-Husseini), and countless wars/intifadas since, or approach them with a humanity they are not accustomed to... yet Israel's Arab neighbours are very clear about their feelings towards Israel.
The Jewish people is divided over what Israel should be, but Arabs, and Muslims the world over are very clear, and surprisingly united when it comes to their hate of Israel. Schnabel could never have been an Arab or a Muslim. Neither could Zuckerberg...
No movie can properly capture the life faced by Arabs and Jews living in Israel. Certainly not one which uses an Indian actress for no other reason than her pretty looks, making the story even less credible...
Posted by: Bin | March 30, 2011 at 05:02 AM