The Color of Olives

Watch The Color of Olives

  • 2006
  • 1 hr 37 min
  • 7.2  (82)

The Color of Olives is a documentary-style film that follows the daily lives of a Palestinian family living in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. The film captures the day-to-day struggles of this family as they try to live their lives amidst the hardships and turmoil of living in one of the most contested regions in modern history. The film is shot in a slow and contemplative style, with long takes and static shots that convey the sense of stillness and stasis that pervades life in this area. The camera lingers on the family as they go about their daily routines, from preparing meals to tending to their olive groves. The film also captures the stark beauty of the West Bank landscape, with its rolling hills, rugged terrain, and ancient stone structures.

The family at the center of the film is composed of the father, mother, and their six children, ranging in ages from a few months to early teens. They are a close-knit and loving family, but their lives are beset by difficulty on all sides. Their home is surrounded by a high concrete wall that separates them from neighboring Israeli settlements. The wall has been built as part of the Israeli government's effort to create a security barrier between Israelis and Palestinians, but it has also meant that the family is effectively cut off from the outside world.

The family's main source of income comes from their olive groves, which are dotted throughout the hills around their home. The film shows the family at work in their groves, picking olives by hand and then processing them in their home to produce oil. These scenes are shot with a sense of quiet reverence, conveying the centuries-old tradition of olive farming in this region.

The film also shows the family going about their daily routines, from cooking meals to tending to their animals. The children attend school in Bethlehem, and the film captures them at play on the schoolyard and studying in their classrooms. The family is devoutly Muslim, and the film shows them praying together and observing religious rituals throughout the day.

Throughout the film, the family's struggles are depicted with a sense of quiet grace. They speak little about the political situation that surrounds them, but their lives are shaped by it in every way. They are constantly hemmed in by the walls and checkpoints that separate their village from the rest of the world, and they face harassment and intimidation from Israeli soldiers and settlers on a regular basis. The film captures this sense of insecurity and vulnerability, but it also portrays the family's resilience and determination to carry on with their lives regardless of the obstacles they face.

The Color of Olives is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Palestinians living under occupation. It refuses to take sides or offer easy solutions, but instead presents a nuanced and compassionate portrait of a family struggling to survive in a difficult and dangerous world. The film is beautifully shot and edited, and the performances of the family members are natural and unforced. While it may be a difficult film to watch at times, it is ultimately an inspiring testament to the human spirit and the power of love and perseverance in even the most trying circumstances.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2006
  • Runtime
    1 hr 37 min
  • Language
    Arabic
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (82)
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