By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 1.5 cats
Director: Isidore Rosmarin
Country: israel
Year: 2007
Running time: 73
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7890284/reference
Bruce says: “As the camera pans over acts of violence, serene countrysides or samples of everyday life in Israel, a written paragraph prefaces each BLOOD AND TEARS chapter. Covering the battle between Israelis and Palestinians, starting with the Turkish and British occupation of what is now known as Israel, the film reviews its history decade by decade. While it is always good to see a summarization of knowledge one has accumulated over time and with different prevailing attitudes or perspectives, BLOOD AND TEARS is not a film that presents anything new.
“The filmmaker tells us that in viewing the historical and cultural damage of the conflict, the clash over who gets the land in Israel has evolved from a turf war to a clash of civilizations that transcends issues about borders, bloodlines or religious conviction. Isidore Rosmarin presents details about how Israel was formed and the battles that ensued after independence in 1948; how the territories were annexed after the Six Day War of 1967; how Arafat’s power base depended upon never ending the conflict; the Oslo Accords; the incendiary visit of Sharon to a Muslim holy site on a Muslim religious holiday; talks of an Islamic jihad against Israel; the need for checkpoints; the controversial security wall Israel is building around the territories; the strength of the Israel army; and the current Palestinian ideological divide between Hamas and Fatah parties. All in all it is an objective recitation of historical fact.
“The film has many talking heads both archival and current opinion brokers such as Michael Oren and Alan Dershowitz. Everyone unanimously agrees that ongoing war will never bring an acceptable resolution to any of the issues. What is missing from the film is any opinion from those who seek change from the status quo. The film acknowledges that the majority of Palestinians and Israeli’s want peace and that there are many independent groups that are working together towards that goal. No talking heads represent any group who favors peace.
“We need to see more films about the Israeli Arabs that cohabitate with Jews, live in the same cities, the same neighborhoods and even in the same buildings; films about peace organizations that are composed of Jews and Palestinians; films about educational kibbutzes that include both Israeli and Arab students. If nightly news continues to limit its coverage to the negative aspects of the Middle East, hopefully independent filmmakers will fill in the gaps to show the world the possibilities of a positive future. In refusing to explore different ways of thinking, BLOOD AND TEARS is part of the problem, not part of the solution. 1.5 cats”