Sean McAllister Settlers

Settlers

"The contrast between their lives and entrenched political opinions makes for a gripping dynamic" [Kieron Corless, Time Out]

Tension mounts to the boiling point as Jewish "settlers" encroach upon the formerly exclusive Arab neighbourhoods of Jerusalem. On the other end of the Israeli political spectrum, the state complies with international demands to relinquish territory to the Palestinians.

Such schizophrenic splits only fuel the flames.

In the intense heat of these conflicts, the camera captures two unforgettable subjects: Ali and Dov.

Ali is a Palestinian parolee -- convicted of planting a bomb during the Six Day War -- who leads radical anti-Zionist tours of former "terrorist sites" throughout the land. Dov is an expatriated American Hassidic zealot and talk-radio host, who provides his former Brooklyn neighbours with the news from Hebron, broadcast live via cell phone.

The fragmented Israeli/Palestinian society is mirrored by the emotional unravelling of both men, as their personal demons threaten to destabilize the fragile truce they have made for themselves. While both Ali and Dov hope for peace, reminders of war echo in their voices and in the streets. © Variety

Reviews: Settlers

© Kieron Corless, Time Out → 'The Middle East is usually dealt with in an academic way on TV,' explains McAllister. 'I wanted to focus in on common, human things that audiences here can relate to'... First of all the director bumped into Ali, who'd spent 17 years in jail for planting a bomb. While the self-styled terrorist-turned-tour-guide is showing him round, the larger-than-life showman Dov popped up to insinuate himself into the filming process, just at the precise moment when McAllister was looking to counterbalance Ali's views. Ali and Dov are both fascinating characters in their own ways - the contrast between their lives and entrenched political opinions makes for a gripping dynamic." Read more

© Dennis Harvey, Variety → absorbing portrait of two diametrically opposed individuals on the Palestinian and Israeli sides... Read more

Links: Settlers

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