Review on Miral
“Is life objective and what do we mean by objectivity in a conflict situation or
in a film that has a conflict situation as its context?”
by Parisa MAIZE-TALAN
"Miral is a red flower. It grows on the side of the road. You've probably seen millions of them."
Based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Rula Jebreal, Julian Schnabel's MIRAL is a poignant and powerful drama that crhonicles nearly four decades of change in the Middle East, told entirely from the unique perspective of a young Palestinian girl named Miral. Beginning in the late 1940s, just as the State of Israel is born, the film introduces us to three different women whose destinies are forged by the seismic shifts that occur when Palestine is busumed by this new Israeli Nation. For the rest of the film story, please click.
After hearing so much criticism about Miral (the name means ‘a flower that grows on the side of the road’), as well as many mixed reviews I decided to go and see the film for myself. Firstly, I’m also one of those people who have seen so many films and documentaries about the Israel-Palestine conflict that I didn’t think that another film, not specifically about the conflict, but set in the conflict, would make any extra special difference to me or to the situation. But I wondered why this film (yes a film not a documentary) would be blocked by the American Jewish Committee from being shown at the UN General Assembly. And on the other hand, also receive so much backlash from the Palestinian community for the simple reason that an Indian actor was cast for the lead female role. So with all this as my context, I walked into the film expecting to see the usual images of tanks rolling over homes, bombs in buses and general conflict scenes. And whilst the film does contain scenes like this, they are few and far between. What you really get is the heart wrenching, inspiring story of one woman. It is about her life, as perceived by her and as experienced by her, and as it happened according to her. The film is based on the true story of Rula Jebreal, the journalist and writer whose book inspired the screenplay. As the victims most affected by conflict, the stories of women and children mainly go unheard. Miral is significant if only just for that – giving voice to a Palestinian woman experiencing the conflict from the day that she is born until present day. It is also about her choices and how they impact her life. Then you have the choice yourself to either feel angry and frustrated or inspired and hopeful about the future. I have no doubt that the intention of the film is the latter.
At the screening Rula Jebreal and the director of the film Julian Schnabel were both present for Q and A’s. I found it remarkable that one of the audience members asked the question “Do you think the film is objective?” First of all it is a film not a documentary and although it is based on a true story it is a film still, with many elements and many truths actually left out for the sheer fact that it is a film. When Woody Allen makes a film do people ask him “Is your film objective?” Although the director answered the question very diplomatically, I may not have been so kind. I would then ask “Is life objective and what do we mean by objectivity in a conflict situation or in a film that has a conflict situation as its context?” What strikes you actually about Miral the most is the articulate and delicate way that the film was made. Attention was given to not only detail, but local sensitivities. The film was made with a lot of respect for the local community and its authorities and population. This with a mixed crew of Israelis and Palestinians is an accomplishment in itself. If this was a film about the environment it would get top scores for its ability to leave the smallest possible carbon footprint. Perhaps in that sense then, you could say that Miral, in the world of film, really is like a bright flower that grows on the side of a road, the road that leads to peace.
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