Description of a Memory 2006
Distributed by Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Dan and Noit Geva; Habayit Hakatom Ltd.
Directed by Dan Geva
DVD , color, 80 min.
Jr. High - General Adult
Media and Film History, Nationalism, Israel, Middle East, Palestine, Sociology, Social Identity
Date Entered: 07/24/2013
Reviewed by Malcolm L. Rigsby, Department of Sociology and Human Services, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, ArkansasDescription of a Memory creatively examines how a dream of nationhood may often modify across time. Retrospection is sometimes the best method for analysis of others and of self. The backdrop for Description of a Memory is the acclaimed film of a similar title Description of a Struggle, by Chris Marker (1960). Struggle was Marker’s attempt to document how the struggle of Israel would serve as one pathway to create for the world a new model national identity and thereby help the world’s societies to move toward not only political but also social justice. Forty-eight years later director Dan Geva sought to evaluate Marker’s conclusions. Is Israel a model of nationhood? If yes, how did this occur, and if not, is there still potential for success? Geva creatively uses two methods to evaluate these questions. Although Geva never seems to give us his conclusion to his analysis, he presents a well-balanced set of facts and opinions for society and the viewer to consider.
In establishing his analysis, Geva follows two pathways. He first seeks out several of the individuals who in 1960 appeared in Marker’s film and asks them about their thoughts and feelings about the success of the young nation of Israel, its humanity, social controls and political objectives. Second, Geva adds his own fact supported memories of life in Israel, oppression in Palestine, and the militarized and security oriented face of Israel.
It is your, the viewer’s, conclusion that is important in the evaluation of the data, beliefs, and portrayed feelings that appear in this extremely well shot film. It is straightforward in portraying the narratives of those interviewed, it keeps the viewer interested with its pace and adds a suitable amount of sound to enhance images without leading the sentiment of the viewer.
A video clip of Description of a Memory is available via YouTube.
Awards<
- Grand Prize, 2007 RIDM International Documentary Film Festival (Canada)
- Best Film, 2009 Temps d’images International Film Festival on Arts, Lisbon Portugal