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Paradise Now Analysis

Paradise Now is a Palestine movie directed by Hany Abu-Assad and starred Kais Nashef and Ali Suliman. Hany is an Arab born in Israel and presents the human side of terrorist wits and feelings without requiring the viewers to feel sorry for the perpetrators meant to exterminate naive people. Paradise Now centers two young men of Palestinian origin who embark on what might happen within the 2 last days of their lives. The film leaves political questions for the audience to solicit. The drama is about Said and Khaled, the two suicide bombers of Palestinian origin who crave to execute attacks in the capital of Israel. The analysis of Paradise Now is performed in relation to characterization, theme, overall message, and directorial choice of the film.

Body One

The film is about Said and Khaled, who have been friends since childhood. At the opening of the movie, the two boys live a simple life, which lacks purpose. They constantly smoke hookah, gulp tea, and work as mechanics in the Nablus. Said meets with Suha (Azabal), a lovely lady, who confines him and changes his life ever after. Said and his friend Khaled suffer right in an unidentified Palestinian activist in Nablus. It becomes clear when Jamal (Amer Hlehel), the go-between for the terrorists, approaches Said and informs him that they have been selected to carry out terrorist activities in Tel Aviv. Said and Khaled were dreaming as children to die together. Nevertheless, Jamal tells that they can spend the last night with their families and they should keep the mission a secret. On that fateful evening, Said creeps out to go and bid goodbye to Suha, but the meeting shows Said’s doubts and leaves Suha in suspicion.

On the day of bombings, Said and his friend, Khaled are taken to the defense fence that divides the West Bank with Israel and goes through an outlet that the cell members made for them from the Israel side. The two are enforced to exit through the outlet by the Army of Israeli as their plan went wrong. This failed mission end up having Said and Khaled separated. However, Said hides from the chamber in Nablus where Khaled finds him in his father’s grave, and convinces him to continue the mission. It is worth noting that Said’s father was killed due to his association with the rivals, Israelis and it was upon Said to reinstate honor to his family. The twist and turns in this plot leave the viewer’s speculating if they complete the mission.

Body Two

The film reveals the character of Hany Abu Assad as a pro-Palestinian due to his interest in demonstrating the Palestinians plight to the world. His interest is based on the fact that Israelites are more recognized in the world and Hany equates it as the reason why Israel can do as they wish in case of conflicts. This makes his personality visible through his role in the film.

The film employs various themes such as water purification. For instance, Khaled’s mother comes to him when he is bidding everyone goodbye, and he suggests to her where to find cheaper water filters. This seems a sign of Khaled being kind to his mother during his final days. The theme of water purification rises many times in the film. Foor example, the cab driver comments that water in Israel is made unclean by Palestinians; thus, making it an essential task to purify.

The theme of powerful as well as humorous moment emerged during the time Said and Khalid filmed at the headquarters of the cells where they admitted on camera that they engaged in suicide bombing. As such, Khaled presented an expressive speech on reasons he took vengeance of the Palestinian natives prejudice they encountered from Israelites. Apparently, Jamal did not record Khaled as the camera malfunctioned. However, Khaled subsequent as well as the third recordings were not as emotional as the first ones. As the movie ends, the director breaks down the martyrdom- boldness as well as the monster-demonic powers and makes it human. In actual life, the film is often a comic drama primarily in unfortunate moments.

Symbolism is employed in the movie when Khaled and his friend Said are offered their last meal similar to the Last Supper of Da Vinci. It seemed, the meal symbolized the decease and devastation that would come after the duel bombing in the area of Tel Aviv where Said and Khaled were seen as martyrs. The film, furthermore, has suspense and scenes that are hair-raising and fascinating.

Paradise Now was shot in 2004 at a place known as Nablus. The movie team and the performers often found themselves in the midst of the conflict between the Israeli-Palestine people. Each day the Israel Defense Forces came into Nablus to investigate the Palestinian terrorists, and gunfire’s as well as rocket attacks from different directions. To compose a movie in Nablus concerning suicide bombers, Abu-Assad had to obtain permit from the opponent armed Palestinians area gang. One group could approve while the other group would disapprove. Rumors in the area were that the movie was against suicide bombing that resulted in the kidnapping of the area managers. The director spoke to the Prime Minister of Palestine Yasser Arafat who assisted them to acquire the discharge permit of a location manager. At some stage in a film production, there was a landmine explosion close to the scene that made Suha (Lubna Azabal) to become unconscious due to panic. Hany jeopardized himself to ensure the film authenticity was valid.

The director of the film makes the message compelling by employing storing of two different Palestinians as well as presenting a back-story of their lives. The film shows that although the two men were involved in suicide bombing, it was because they felt they had no choices left in the matter. For instance, earlier in the film, the director portrayed Said and Khaled as men in relaxing mode, but the message is that one cannot judge people by their looks.

The film message is essential to everyone since it humanizes people who are stereotyped. It succeeded to give the viewer some reality and feel of the scenes from the corridors of Tel Aviv. The film failed to call for calmness from both the Palestine’s and the Israel’s who have been at war for many years. Since there were no solutions forthcoming to decipher, the disagreements Hany bashed the Israelis policies as well as the government. Paradise Now has started a meaningful conversation on the issues around the conflict. The film presents to the world that suicide bombers have a heart and are not set to execute murder without feelings or regret. Said and Khaled are caught among religious radicalism and the will to live.

In conclusion, Paradise Now is narrated in a pro-Palestinian perspective. This is apparent through the use of symbols, director’s message, and characterization that makes Palestinian look humanized while Israel seems to suffer from discrimination. Humanizing the two Palestinian bombers is one of the examples from the film. As a result, the bombers appear sympathetic and Palestinian as well.

The article was written by professional writer Lola Nickson, more ehr papers you can find at https://papers-land.com/

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