Educational Media Reviews Online

In Caroline Rivas The Color of Olives a Palestinian family tends an olive grove – many hundreds of years old. However, the grove is near the West Bank barrier in the village of Masha where the simplest of things are especially complicated in ways that most in the western world can not imagine. Because of military check points and razor-wire fences, civilian travel is difficult. Posing even more difficulty to the family is that this area of the barrier is incomplete; therefore it is easy for those to cross who wish only to reap destruction on the other side. Regardless of perilous danger, the family is dedicated to their work. They endure extreme difficulties because tending the olive grove is the glue that bonds them together. The husband and wife have four idyllic-looking children, in regards to what we see of them; they act respectfully and mild, and are eager to shed a smile, or chord of laughter when they can. What is sad to see is the sacrifice of innocence, the struggle and defense of what should be common place things; like cherishing family and the beauty of nature. The Color of Olives is a thought provoking film. Cinematic effects are artistic. And the story is an important one to tell. It is recommended for high school, college, and university collections in Middle Eastern Studies.