Director Elia Suleiman uses a mixture of romantic comedy and quirky humor to shed light on the problems of Palestinians in Yadon Ilaheyya (Divine Intervention). E.S. (Suleiman and his girlfriend Manal Khader), because they live in separate cities, must meet near an Israeli checkpoint. The film is little more than a series of usually comic but occasionally poignant scenes in which Suleiman and others must confront any number of Israeli nemeses. Suleiman's second film, Divine Interventions, was
screened in competition at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
The visual puns, sight gags and the little parables told by the few speaking characters are rarely laugh-out-loud funny. But they provoke thought, debate and diverse interpretations.
Suleiman's argument seems to be that the situation between Palestinians and Israelis has settled into an hopeless stalemate, in which everyday life incorporates elements of paranoia, resentment and craziness.
Elia Suleiman is a talented man who made a striking film to voice the sorrows of his people and there are sorrows to be lamented, but his film is drawn from an ugliness and intellectual dishonesty that besmirches any lesson that could possibly be extracte
Suleiman's film is uniquely engaging, a visual feast-though how emotionally or intellectually satisfying it is will depend on how each viewer responds to the images.
Life in the Arab-Israeli region has a random and arbitrary unintelligibility, if this surreal stylization validly reflects it. But, validity comes into question.
...a non-narrative film that mixes agitprop with Pythonesque silliness and an almost stately, rueful kind of slapstick that recalls Buster Keaton in tone if not physicality.
El director hilvana sensaciones, alegorías, representaciones más bien absurdas, e inspiradas en el cine mudo o la comedia física de Buster Keaton o Jacques Tati.
From the first scenes -- a sorry-looking Santa huffing and puffing his way up a hill to flee a gang of Palestinian youths -- Divine Intervention intercedes to offer the most unexpected of film experiences.
A brilliant comic cry of pain, a surrealistically piercing protest at what its maker sees as brutal oppression and chooses to attack with satire rather than rocks or bombs.
Art drenched in mythological symbols,yes?Most certainly,and poesie is included on the humanitarian cycle.Suleiman inherits the Tati syndrome and with a few Keaton persona strife,the facial expression reflects the round-up of his marvelous essence.Divine Intervention is a groundbreaking achievement,Kaurismaki must be
jealous not for the political satire but for the deadpan environment!!!
August 27, 2008
Dimitris Springer
Super Reviewer
Very strange film! It could be consider a drama because of the Palestine and Israel conflict. But could be seen as a comedy because of some very unexpected moments. The love story really makes you think about what real love is. Overall, it is very original and bold!
April 16, 2007
Linda K. T.
Super Reviewer
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