Educational Media Reviews Online

Every Israeli citizen serves in the army for three years, except those who are granted exemptions. Israel deliberately exempts Arab citizens from conscription. Those Arabic men who volunteer are accepted—but under a pall of suspicion.

Ameer Abu-Ria is a third-generation volunteer; his grandfather, father and uncles all served in the Israeli military. His father fought in the first Lebanon war—against Arabs. Despite their second-class status, he loves his country, as does Ameer. Regardless of his uncle’s confession that he “feels as if [he] carried out crimes against [his] own people,” Ameer is determined to support his country by joining the Border Guards. He wants to change people and their attitudes.

As Ameer goes through the process of enlisting and planning a party, there is a sense that few of his friends and family members support his decision. His father’s narrative gives the impression that he is trying to convince himself as well as Ameer that joining the army is a good idea.

Although Ameer is not religious—the images of Muslims praying toward Mecca is in stark contrast to Ameer’s stoic figure in camouflage—his fellow Border Guards keep him at arms’ length. He will never really belong. In basic training, Ameer likes everyone and thinks that everyone likes him. He doesn’t make trouble, he has some fun. Yet his comrades make comments that are reminiscent of America’s Civil Rights era: “You’re different from everyone else, Ameer.” They like Ameer, but not Arabs in general.

The best parts of the film are when he’s just relaxing with his friends in the barracks, being young men—not Jewish or Arab. However, reality is never far from Ameer’s mind, when his Jewish friend tells him that he will never visit Sakhnin to see Ameer. “I know,” says Ameer’s voiceover, “that their children will never get to know my children.” It’s a sad commentary when a young man joins the army to make peace between two nations, but is not allowed to fulfill that desire. “Arabs and Jews are cousins,” he says in the end.

The documentary is subtitled with no time segues indicated, which sometimes makes the transitions difficult to follow. Much of the film is narrated by Ameer as a voiceover—with English subtitles. This film would be a good addition to any collection or institution which strives to make peace between Arabs and Jews.

Awards

• Winner, Grand Prize, FIPA
• Winner, Best Documentary, Chagrin IFF