Length: 90 minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes)
Age Appropriateness Rating: This documentary film is not rated in the United States. It contains scenes of violence (actual footage shot in Israel-Palestine), but nothing unsafe for a mature high school student to watch. It is safe for classroom viewing, but students should be aware that they will be witnessing firsthand accounts, including scenes of assault and death.
Creators and Stars: Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi, Kino Lorber Incorporated
Historical Accuracy: Five Broken Cameras is a documentary film comprised of footage shot in and around the villages of Bil'in and Nil'in in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, near the Israeli border. The filming was done over approximately five years by Palestinian cameraman Emad Burnat with the assistance of Israeli activist Guy Davidi.
Review: Five Broken Cameras follows two parallel storylines--the birth and young life of Emad Burnat's fourth son, Gibreel, and the battle to keep the olive groves used by the villagers of Bil'in on the Palestinian side of the security fence being built. Unable to escape the violence that surrounds him, young Gibreel speaks the language of military weaponry and Palestinian nationalism from his first words. The villagers of Bil'in protest (with international support) to retain their olive groves. After years of struggle, including personal tragedies and a court order that went unfollowed, the residents of Bil'in finally succeed in having the security fence relocated (although not in a way that gives access to land upon which Israeli settlers have already built housing).
Students will need at least a brief introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before viewing this film, including information on why and where security walls have been built along the borders. |
