The short film, WEST BANK STORY, may not solve the Israeli-Palestinian issue but it will make you laugh, which is more than most can say for Olmert and Abbas.
West Bank Story first came into the limelight when it walked away from the 2006 Academy Awards as the winner of “The Best Live Action Short Film.” Since that time, the film has seen success, including at a handful of Jewish Film Festivals.
After watching West Bank Story it’s not difficult to understand why it has gained so much praise. Writers Ari Sandel, a native Californian with an Israeli father, and Kim Ray take a heavy subject and create a laugh-out-loud musical comedy.
West Bank Story takes place near a checkpoint in Palestine. A few feet away stands two falafel restaurants, side by side. One Palestinian-owned, the other Israeli. As fate would have it a customer had forgotten his hummus and Fatima, the counter girl from the Palestinian falafel stand, runs after him with the bag in hand only to be stopped at the checkpoint a few feet away by a less-than-calm Israeli soldier. Another soldier, David, puts an end to the harrassment, having fallen in love at first sight with the girl. What happens next is a parody of life within the current conflict.
Disagreements and misunderstandings escalate, walls are constructed, violent destruction ensues but in the end comes a creative resolution. Unlike the film, the reality of the situation offers no end, no humorous conclusion, which leaves you wishing the politicians could be as crafty as the restauranteurs. For us outside of the film, we will have to keep waiting for a finale, hopefully one as humorous as the film’s.
Watch clips of the film with commentary on AlJazeera’sThe Fabulous Picture Show.
