Zahira’s Peace 2004
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Produced by Daedalus Productions
Directed by Nina Rosenblum
DVD, color, 90 min.
Mature Senior High, College, and General Adult
European Studies, International Relations, Media Studies, Multicultural Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Social Sciences
Date Entered: 10/08/2008
Reviewed by Sue F. Phelps, Washington State University, Vancouver, WAPrizewinning film maker Nina Rosenblum tells the story of the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings through the personal experience of one of the victims. Zahira, a young woman who loses an eye, gains insight into what is most important through her traumatic experience, as do her family and friends. Narrated by Zahira’s boyfriend, Julio, the documentary does not spare footage of the attacks or the raw response of those who witnessed them. It does, however, escort the viewer through a healing process that is physical, emotional and relational for Zahira and the individuals who are interviewed.
Rosenblum contrasts clips of caring family scenes and interviews with those of the September 11 attacks in the United States, escalating violence in Iraq, police beatings and race demonstrations. Because the attacks occurred just before the national election in Spain, the response of leadership and eventual defeat of the incumbent president changed the political direction of Spain dramatically. Called into question are Spain’s alliances with the U.S. and Britain as well as the information U.S. citizens are getting from the media.
The real messages of the documentary, however, are through conversations that express the strength of forgiveness, understanding, loving relationships, a circumspect attitude toward leaders and media, antiviolence, and racial equality. The film ends with two quotes that refer to Zahira’s lasting injury. The first is “No matter how they try and blind us we must open our eyes to the truth, not what they want us to see.” The other is from Gandhi, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
In an interview with Dana Roc, on her Living Outloud e-zine, Nina Rosenblum talks about her love of film making, photography, social documentary, and her concerns about the media. Zahira’s Peace is an excellent example of Rosenblum’s talent used to express these concerns. It is also one of very few media or print resources about the Madrid train bombings.
Students of psychology, political science and history would be most interested in this documentary, as would students of film making and journalism.
For more information about Nina Rosenblum visit her website for Daedalus Productions, Inc.
Awards
- Audience Award, Berkshire International Film Festival, 2006
- Winner of the Cine Golden Eagle Award, 2005
- Bronze Wagon Winner, Fire Island Golden Wagon Film Festival, 2006