Watch In The Land Of Pomegranates
- 2018
- 2 hr
-
6.7 (17)
In The Land Of Pomegranates is a moving documentary that explores the complex and emotional issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the ways in which young people on both sides are grappling with their identities and their place in the world. Directed by Hava Kohav Beller, the film is an intimate portrait of a group of young activists who have grown up in the midst of a decades-long conflict that has left deep wounds and lasting scars on their communities and their families.
The film begins with footage of a group of young Israeli and Palestinian activists gathering in the hills of the West Bank for a joint project. The group has been brought together by an organization called Combatants for Peace, which seeks to promote dialogue and understanding between the two communities. Through a series of conversations, the activists begin to share their stories and their struggles, and it becomes clear that they are all deeply committed to finding a way to heal the wounds of the past and build a more peaceful future.
As the film unfolds, we learn more about the lives of the activists and the challenges they face. Some of them have experienced violence and trauma firsthand, while others struggle with the weight of their inherited history and the pressure to conform to their community's expectations. We see them engaging in dialogue and debate, attending workshops and rallies, and working to build bridges between their communities.
Along the way, the film also provides a powerful historical context for the conflict, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century and chronicling the events that have shaped the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians. Through archival footage and interviews with historians and experts, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex political and social dynamics that drive the conflict today.
Perhaps the most powerful moments of the film come in the form of personal stories from the activists themselves. We hear from a Palestinian man who spent years in prison for his involvement in militant activities, and who now works to promote nonviolence and reconciliation. We follow the journey of an Israeli woman who travels to the Palestinian territories to learn about the lives of the people living there, and who comes away with a newfound empathy and understanding. And we witness the struggle of a young Palestinian man who grapples with the competing demands of his family, his community, and his own sense of identity.
Throughout the film, Beller's sensitive and nuanced direction allows these stories to unfold in a way that feels both honest and respectful. There is no attempt to simplify or sugarcoat the issues at play, nor is there any sense of judgment or bias. Instead, we are simply invited to listen to these young people as they wrestle with some of the most difficult and profound questions of our time.
In The Land Of Pomegranates is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll. It offers no easy answers or solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but instead invites us to consider the complex and nuanced realities of life on both sides, and to join these young activists in their ongoing struggle for peace, justice, and reconciliation.
In The Land Of Pomegranates is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 56.