Today we went up to the Arbor and saw BUDRUS, an Israeli documentary. A film about non-violent opposition to the security fence being built by Israel in a village which has depended on it's olive trees for generations to survive. The leader of the movement is a very intelligent, visionary and charismatic figure. He is a natural leader. His daughter engages the women to protest and we meet the the beautiful and happy school children who seem so loved and well cared for in this community. We also meet the young Israeli military who are following orders to remove olive trees. The bravery of the women who put their bodies in holes and in front of bulldozers is astonishing. The outcome after escalated confrontations is good for Budrus villagers. The fence goes up on the green line away from the school and they get to keep 95% of their olive trees. Peaceful opposition spreads to other villages in the West Bank. The Q&A with filmmaker Nadav Greenberg was thoughtful and intelligent. Thank-you Cindy Pinto for having us as guests.
This evening Abe and I went to the 2011 JumpCut Festival at the Alamo S. Lamar and saw some wonderfully creative short films made by students and presented by the University Film Alliance. It was good to see student filmmakers and a fellow actor I have worked with as well.
I will keep my eye out for that Israeli film. It sounds terrific!
ReplyDeleteThe shorts you were in would have blown people away!
Pam