No Other Land

Sometimes the camera allows you to witness in a way that 

gives you separation from the terror.

Movie: No Other Land

Running Time: 1:35

Nominated for: Documentary

How I watched: Laemmle

When it had me: The Plight of Palestine

When it lost me: It didn't

What systems does it challenge: Israel, genocide, colonialism

I have this problem of being sickened by the erasure, slaughter and forced expulsion of the Palestinian people from their own lands and simultaneously being overwhelmed by my powerlessness to do anything about it. I can participate in boycotts and re-post stuff on social media but beyond that I am a useless human being on the other side of the world. I had big plans to fight fascism here at home too, but now I am working through the trauma of a national disaster and long term displacement. Nothing compared to the people of Gaza but just enough to distract me.

In fact, the first thing that made me break down bawling after the night of the fires was a video of children in Palestine holding up signs and sending their support to the people of Los Angeles. What? How do they have time to even know about our problems or bandwidth to care?

Anyway, this documentary follows the work of a Palestinian activist trying to bring attention to the expulsion of his people from their ancestral lands in Massafer Yatta. He is joined by a Jewish journalist who wants to spread the truth about what its happening to the people of Israel and the world beyond.

The film consists of seemingly endless footage of Israeli bulldozers ripping through the modest homes of families who do nothing to fight back but try to hold on to their possessions when they can. Interspersed are many dark nights of the soul where the two young men sit by a fire or over coffee or a hookah and talk about life. They talk about what things could be, how they might bring attention to their plight and the stark reality they face. It's a good balance between witnessing and reflection, giving the viewer time to process what they are taking in.

The men even acknowledge my own feelings at one point. Saying some people will fell for them, but what can they do about it? And all the while I am looking at these two kind, passionate men and wondering why they don't get to just have a regular life? Bad luck has dealt all of the Palestinians into a time and place where they can know no peace and I wish the world were a more just place.

A good and sad watch.