Monday, April 27, 2015

The Green Prince (2014)

Director: Nadav Schirman. 101 min. Rated PG-13. Germany/USA/UK/Israel. Documentary.

Remember hearing the Middle East is complicated? Well, probably Israel/Palestine is the most complicated focus of contradictory concepts, as proven in this documentary - about the son of a Hamas leader who became a Shin-Bet (Mossad) agent for more than a decade. WHAT? The country breeds contradictions of Orwellian proportions: the film's chapters are titled "Lies", "Responsibility", "Game", ..., but each word heralds new meanings as the story progresses. Similar to The Gatekeepers, this fascinating tale begins with great promise, but then loses steam towards the end, as we learn who the game's real winners and losers are.

PS: Available on Netflix.

Mo says:

2 comments:

  1. Sadly not available on UK Netflix but I managed to see it anyway through different channels.
    I found the film quite interesting although at times it did seem like Israeli propaganda. I was more interested in what makes someone become a traitor to their own people and family. His reasons for becoming an Israeli spy seemed vague at best but I was glad in the end that he was not deported to what would have likely been a death sentence.

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    1. Thank you, Toast, because my avoidance for specifically mentioning the real winners and losers are exactly what you pointed out. At the end of the movie, I got the feeling the film-makers were saying: Don't mess with Israel - friend or foe, you're bound to lose.

      As before, I'm glad I get your feedback on the documentaries.

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