Citizen Bishara 2001
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Cineteve Arna Productions and Canal Productions
Director n/a
VHS, color, 52 min.
Sr. High - Adult
International Relations, Human Rights, Jewish Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Political Science
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Michael J. Coffta, Business Librarian, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaThis outstanding documentary outlines the career, viewpoints and obstacles in the life of Azmi Bishara, a Palestinian Member of Parliament in the Jewish state of Israel. Though one in five Israeli citizens is a Palestinian, to many, the notion of a Palestinian citizen is, as one reporter stated it, like “a Protestant Pope.”
Bishara has a Ph.D. in Philosophy and, as an expert in political thought, has declared himself to be a radical democrat. Bishara has stated that Palestinian Israeli citizens take our citizenship seriously and are not merely thumbing their noses at the Israeli government. Rather, he hopes to change the political landscape to include Arab candidates and bring about a more peaceful Israel. Despite his seemingly desirable mix of backgrounds, he is often prodded by reporters and pundits to reveal some sort of disloyalty.
This documentary offers the visions of Bishara for Israel and the Middle East. This is an excellent film which offers a dynamic point of view on a host of political and ethical issues.
Awards:
- 2002 Human Rights Watch International Film Festival
- 2002 FIPA
- 2002 Argus Human Rights Festival
- Closing Night Film, 2002 L’Acharniere Festival (Lille, France)
- Zoom on Palestine, 2002 Bienneale Des Cinemas Arabes (Paris)