the film aired for the last time in my city tonight.
i read (and respect) critics who see in this film an angry homophobic man, incapable of dealing with his inner emotions. personally, i believe it goes beyond this appreciation, this is just part of the mosaic.
the reality of present day Israel, the Israelo-Palestinian conflict, the German identity after WWII: amidst all of these parts of the mosaic, is a very powerful image, that of Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee, and of a miracle.
why do human beings become intolerant, hate and kill. the story of generations, of conflicts, of wounds left unhealed. there is one key phrase in the film : "open your heart". it takes tragedy in several forms in this film for tears to flow, the heart to open and start feeling again. to live again, as is the great statement in the end.
all of them have suffered, Jews, Palestinians, Germans. it stems from a long history, and what we see nowadays is just the result of history and many unhealed wounds.
i was moved and disturbed by a father who wants to take the role of God and "take a man's life" before God does. i don't have to agree with it, but can rationally see why he evolves this way after losing his family under the Nazi regime. the weight of the past joins the present when he asks his son to commit a murder for those matters unresolved in his heart. (some will say he is accomplishing justice).
when the son spoke German again, i shivered. he is in the past, he is in the present; but he is not a victim, he is a survivor.
i do not think he didn't kill out of his evolving friendship with Axel, but because he simply could not kill anymore. he remembered those words: "open your heart" and cried at last.
when Axel touches his grandfather, there is no hatred in his gestures and expressions. he gently caresses the forehead, the lips... as in a last sacrament that atones, expiates past sins. the ending scene was felt more like a deliverance and putting a soul to rest.
Tabgha is a very powerful symbol of compassion and faith in this film. the film maker must be someone who vividly feels the human condition, transcending barriers of religion or nationality.
i also recommend this film because it allows to view a few aspects of Israeli life, the tension between Israelis and Palestinians, and fragments of Berlin, three generations afterwards, and such great soul searching.
Excellent, simply excellent.
i read (and respect) critics who see in this film an angry homophobic man, incapable of dealing with his inner emotions. personally, i believe it goes beyond this appreciation, this is just part of the mosaic.
the reality of present day Israel, the Israelo-Palestinian conflict, the German identity after WWII: amidst all of these parts of the mosaic, is a very powerful image, that of Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee, and of a miracle.
why do human beings become intolerant, hate and kill. the story of generations, of conflicts, of wounds left unhealed. there is one key phrase in the film : "open your heart". it takes tragedy in several forms in this film for tears to flow, the heart to open and start feeling again. to live again, as is the great statement in the end.
all of them have suffered, Jews, Palestinians, Germans. it stems from a long history, and what we see nowadays is just the result of history and many unhealed wounds.
i was moved and disturbed by a father who wants to take the role of God and "take a man's life" before God does. i don't have to agree with it, but can rationally see why he evolves this way after losing his family under the Nazi regime. the weight of the past joins the present when he asks his son to commit a murder for those matters unresolved in his heart. (some will say he is accomplishing justice).
when the son spoke German again, i shivered. he is in the past, he is in the present; but he is not a victim, he is a survivor.
i do not think he didn't kill out of his evolving friendship with Axel, but because he simply could not kill anymore. he remembered those words: "open your heart" and cried at last.
when Axel touches his grandfather, there is no hatred in his gestures and expressions. he gently caresses the forehead, the lips... as in a last sacrament that atones, expiates past sins. the ending scene was felt more like a deliverance and putting a soul to rest.
Tabgha is a very powerful symbol of compassion and faith in this film. the film maker must be someone who vividly feels the human condition, transcending barriers of religion or nationality.
i also recommend this film because it allows to view a few aspects of Israeli life, the tension between Israelis and Palestinians, and fragments of Berlin, three generations afterwards, and such great soul searching.
Excellent, simply excellent.