Review of The Attack (2012) by Velimir S — 30 Dec 2013

First of all, let me say that I'm not a fan of the novel which "Ziad Doueiri" adopted. I knew Ziad in "West Beyrouth" and I loved his work, what is here is something trying to be so pacifist but in a shallow exposed agenda!

Violence and counter-violence is the main idea of this movie, to make us feel guilty in the war itself, apart of political lies of wrights and sh*tty stuff like that, but really I feel this was drifted in some ideology by reaching the end. The same impasse I saw in a similar movie at the same year 2012 "Inch'Allah" which directed by " Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette". "The Attack" is the story of "Dr. Amin Jaafari" (Ali Suliman) an Arab surgeon living in Tel Aviv happily with her wife "Siham" (Reymond Amsalem), working successfully that he won a prize was given for the first time to an Arabic citizen in Israel. Dr. Jaafari was totally shocked after he was curing victims of a suicide process mostly of kids, when he discovered that his wife was the one who bombed herself! After this the story sinks in usual research about the origins of terrorism, and the impasse of losing trust, just things like that.

What is to admire for no doubt is the way Doueiri uses in shooting his scenes as he worked previously as a cameraman for "Quentin Tarantino", so he is great in capturing the locations and showing the difference between the life in Israel and Palestinian Authority, without any frills. Performances are good, specially "Ali Suliman" who carry the whole movie in his emotionally complicated role. Using flashback was boring for me, so I felt no thrilling.

Talking thematically is not easy without being in any side. I appreciate this work of Doueiri in digging deeply for secrets that divide us, or the mystery of giving up life for no certain "heaven". That's really sad. At last I quote from a friend of mine "War does not determine who is right. Only who is left..".