Israel protests 'Palestine' tag for Paradise Now
Filed under: Drama, Independent, Awards, Warner Independent Pictures, Politics, Oscar Watch, Cinematical Indie
Israel and US Jewish groups are protesting Best Foreign Film nominee Paradise Now being listed as a
film from "Palestine", and are lobbying the organizers of the awards extravaganza to change the film's tag to
"Palestinian Authority", according to anonymous Israeli diplomat who spoke to Reuters. Their beef with
the designation stems from the implication that Palestine as such is a recognized nation; at the moment,
Palestinians have limited self-rule under the label "Palestinian Authority". The film, which is about two
friends from West Gaza recruited to become suicide bombers, has been largely rejected in Israel because of what many
there view as a sympathetic portrayal of suicide bombers. The film has found better reception with Palestinian
audiences. The Academy has not yet spoken on what, if anything, they intend to do in response to the protest; it's kind
of a no-win situation for them. The last thing Oscar wants on the biggest night of self-congratulatory flatulence of the
year is to have to deal with anything remotely resembling real-life, emotionally charged conflicts.
You, dear readers, on the other hand, actually do occasionally comment on real-life issues. So let's see what you think - should the Academy change the designation of Paradise Now to the technically correct "Palestinian Authority"? Or is it more fitting that the film be designated as a film from Palestine?
Photo © Warner Independent Pictures. No other uses are permitted without the prior written consent of owner. Use of the material in violation of the foregoing may result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
Jeremy Renner Wants To Be An Avenger
Directors We Love: Jim Jarmusch
Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'
Shelf Life: Fight Club_thumbnail.jpg)
Watch: Famous 'Matrix' Scene Re-Created with LEGOs
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-13-2006 @ 11:03AM
Peter Nellhaus said...
"Palestinian Authority" makes more sense at this time. Actually I am surprised the film was nominated based on the fact that nominated films are from their respective countries, and there is no country at this time named Palestine. Based on the current Academy rules, regardless of merit, "Paradise Now" should not have been nominated.
Reply
2-13-2006 @ 11:52AM
Camron said...
I think it should be what ever the name of the country is. I think Palestine is like Guam or Puerto Rico. Technically it is under the laws of another country but in international competition or awards they you their name not anything else.
Reply
2-13-2006 @ 1:55PM
Adam said...
It should definitely be recategorized as Palestinian Authority. It is clearly not the same as Puerto Rico or Guam, considering that it is not called Palastine, but the Palastininian Authority. However, I do not understand at all why it does not deserve the nomination.
Reply
2-13-2006 @ 2:59PM
Jay Allen said...
I agree with Adam. Why penalize the filmmakers for their geo-political situation?
Reply
3-14-2006 @ 11:40PM
Sam said...
It is racsit to claim that all the people who live in a place they call palestine, and who call themselves palastinians have no right to do so because a bunch of israeli occupiers with guns and airplains calim "your country does not exist". Hundreds of times more palestinians have died in this struggle than israelis and palestine does not even have an army. I hate the racist attitude that says that their attempt to fight oocupation is somehow un-acceptable, while a much stronger force killing them from the air is "self defence." I love this film because while not completeley honest, it is much more honest than anything else I have seen on the region.
Reply