runamokprods
Yet another clear-eyed, intelligent and affecting documentary on the heartbreaking, seemingly endless conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. In this case the subject is the title town, where the Israelis – for seemingly no good reason – have decided to erect their 'wall of separation' not along the natural green line border outside the enclave, but cutting right through the heart of this small rural town, dividing the cemetery, and forcing the digging up of farmland and ancient olive trees that provide many in the town with their only income. Whether ignorance, political strategy or simple cruelty on the part of the Israeli government is never really explained (a slight weak spot in the film). But the film is detailed and insightful in tracing how the townspeople - led by soft-spoken community organizer Ayed Morrar - stand up to the mighty Israeli border army in a non- violent way, eventually earning supporters from around the world including younger liberal Israelis, who come and join in the protests, so the conflict evolves from Arab against Jew into human beings against the army and cold, indifferent bureaucracy. Perhaps in that re- alignment lies the seeds of a human solution for the larger conflict that the people of both sides can not only accept, but even embrace.
ninaloop
In this beautifully structured documentary, the viewer follows the people of Budrus from the timeless beauty of their olive groves into the line of Israeli fire, as tension builds and culminates in dramatic conflict between a steadily growing group of unarmed protesters, and the bulldozing Israeli Defense Force. Although it would be justifiable to tell this story solely from a Palestinian vantage point, the filmmakers lend even more credibility to the voice of Ayed Morrar, the film's Palestinian protagonist, by respectfully and thoroughly presenting Israeli points of view throughout the film. Soldiers, captains, newscasters and politicians weigh in from the other side of the "wall-in-progress", while back in Budrus - a heroine emerges. Morrar's 15 year old daughter Iltezam is caught on camera jumping into a bulldozer's newly dug pit, to prevent the uprooting of yet another olive tree, as her voice-over describes what was going through her head: "what can one person do?" This heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting documentary answers that impossible question, by demonstrating the power of peaceful resistance - even in the face of seemingly never ending aggression.
dewtrain
This is a wonderful documentary about the power of nonviolent protest against forces who do not hesitate to use live ammunition to get their way.It is very sad that there are still entities on this earth that think they have the right to take away anything that they can steal, just because they have more weapons or power than those from whom they steal. It is very hopeful and encouraging that some people still chose not to respond with violence, opting for peaceful protest instead.Budrus was a prime example of just such circumstances. Julia Bacha has captured evidence that, when faced with an armed oppressor, a community of people, even ones who are not all on the same political side initially, can still come together against what they all know to be wrong in a nonviolent way, and actually change things.
nyshrink
This documentary will be an eye-opener for many Americans. It tells the story of an on-going non-violent protest movement on the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories. The movement has been created and led by Palestinians--a people often portrayed as terrorists or fanatics by the Western media. Some intrepid international activists as well as some Israelis have joined the movement, but the focus of this film is on the Palestinians.The film portrays the actual protests and the response by the Israeli military. Just as interesting are numerous brief interviews with many people including the leaders of the protests, an Israeli activist and an Israeli military leader on the ground (who I began to suspect was probably later fired, as his comments were damning as well as humorous). Many people might be shocked to see a Hamas member talk about the value of non-violent protest and how he has met progressive Jews whom he now views as comrades. Not a bearded mullah, he is a math teacher.The protests I believe were filmed in 2003, but this movement against the Israeli theft of Palestinian land continues on the West Bank. Since it is rarely covered by the Western media, this film may be your only chance to get a good look at it.
AD
