Paradise Now (2005)

brilliant actors, brilliant editing

In truth, any opportunity to see the film on the big screen is welcome.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Paradise Now was an eye-opening movie. It was really interesting to see the life of a suicide bomber. It definitely was different from what I've perceived most suicide bombers to be like. Though, the conflict in the Palestine territories is different then most of the terrorist suicide bombing that occurs with radical groups such as ISIS. I thought the direction of the movie was well placed and the actors made brilliant choices. I honestly did not expect Said to be the one who kills himself. He seemed to have more to live for than his friend, with a potential girlfriend, a job, and a loving family. It was also interesting seeing all of the military checkpoints and learning about how all of the territories are split up. It seems very ineffective in the grand scheme of things, but it was made that way for a reason. I thought the movie did a good job on allowing the viewers to look into the lives of the bomber, while allowing him to remain humane.

Overall, I thought this movie was good. It showed the border conflict in Israel, and how they are some Palestinians who live in the Israeli territories are not content with their life styles, and therefore some intend to get into Israel and terrorize innocent people. This movie was about two Palestinian friends Said and Khaled who are recruited into a terrorist organization, and are ordered to become suicide bombers in Tel Aviv. Said and Khaled stayed together throughout their mission, but once they got pass the border guards and were in Tel Aviv, Khaled reconsidered his mission, and his thought was that both him and Said would give up the mission and return to where they were, but once Khaled was in the car Said stayed behind and decided to go on with the mission.Khaled knew that Said and him would die if they did bomb Tel Aviv, that's why he wanted to leave, but this did not convince Said. I liked this movie, because everything was explained, but while watching this movie you do not know what happens to Khaled when he returns without completing the mission. I think if they added that in the film it would have been better, but I did like how everything made sense, that's why I would give this film a 4/5.

For the most part, this film was interesting to watch. I love the fast paced rhythm of the film. All the action in the film kept me on the edge of my seat, and I could not wait to see what happened next. Although the fighting and battle is not something I particularly like in movies and stories, the plot and symbolism of the film made this essence of the film okay for me to watch. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in war films or the West Bank or the Middle East. I would particularly recommend this to any history classes, for it shares so much information and insight into the lives of the people of the West Bank. I find these types of films very interesting, as well as very important ones to watch to understand a different culture.

Paradise Now is a beautifully shot and directed film that immerses you completely in the mind and morals of a Palestinian suicide bomber. This experience is clearly not for everyone, and neither is this movie. But for those unafraid to explore some different, highly disturbing mindsets and help understand the many small humiliations that lead to seemingly senseless acts of violence, Paradise Now is worth watching.Directed by Hany Abu-Assad, this film plunges the watcher directly into the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Said and Khaled are two lifelong friends who live a hardscrabble life in Nablus. Oppressed by the occupation, they seem to be stuck in dead end jobs and given few options due primarily to prejudice and discrimination on the part of the Israeli occupiers. Their days (it is clear long before one character points it out) are a lesson in deadening boredom.So when the two are chosen by a Palestinian terrorist group to carry out a suicide bombing in Israel they are only too happy to accept. The rest of the film focuses on the fateful days the young men are to carry out their mission: their preparations, their last wishes, and their states, mental and physical. We soon see that Khaled is thrilled to carry out the mission--he believes he is unquestionably right and on a mission from God. But Said is more unsure; he continually questions whether what he is about to do is morally right. The films main focus is whether Khaled and Said will fulfill their suicide mission, or walk away.For those looking for a fair, balanced look at the Israeli Palestinian conflict that presents recognizably human characters from both sides, should not look to this movie. In Paradise Now, Abu-Assad places the viewer directly in the consciousness of the two Palestinian suicide bombers, and we see all Israelis as he sees them: as oppressors. There are hardly any Israelis with speaking roles; those who do emerge do so very briefly, and are fairly stereotypical and unsympathetic. Mostly, the Israelis seem like the nameless, faceless enemy--far removed from our heroes and the "real life" of Nabulus. This is a positive thing in that it helps further allow viewers to see the world as Said and Khaled see it. However, it also feels fairly manipulative on the filmmakers part in that it allows viewers to easily sympathize with Said's planned actions, to view their "taking out as many Israelis as possible" as a heroic act of protest, rather than a senseless mass murder.It's worth noting that Hany Abu-Asad, the writer and director, has said in interviews that "Israelis are hated for a reason," and declared that had his background been different, he, too, may have ended up a suicide bomber. This is somewhat understandable given his background, however, one wonders if it makes for a less than fair-minded movie. Suha, who serves as the voice of reason, does discourage the young men from going through with their bombing. However, it is worth noting that during her speeches against the act, she frequently argues that Said should not go through with it because "it will give Israelis an alibi for further violence against us." She never once mentions that they shouldn't do it because the act is wrong in that it murders innocent people.Ultimately, though, the movie is fair in its own way--- it presents us with an honest view from one perspective. I would highly recommend Paradise Now for those who enjoy thoughtful, well-made films with serious subject matter.