Mayor 2020
Distributed by Film Movement
Produced by David Osit, Maxyne Franklin, Teddy Leifer, Abigail E. Disney, and Laura Durning
Directed by David Osit
Streaming, 89 mins
General Adult
Human Rights; Palestine; Social Identity
Date Entered: 04/30/2021
Reviewed by Skye M. Limón, Electronic Resources Assistant Librarian, Texas A&M University-KingsvilleDavid Osit’s film Mayor is a documentary that is not an overtly political film. It is not trying to examine the Israeli-Palestinian conflict outright but more in an observational way as we follow Musa Hadid, the mayor of Ramallah. In one scene Mayor Hadid goes on to explain that local governance is the most beautiful work in the country saying that people can decide to reject the government but that he’s never heard of anyone calling for the shutdown of a municipality. “People can’t do without the municipal services that [we] provide.” The film follows him around while he fixes problems like fixing school doors, fixing external pipes, and installing benches. Under Israeli occupation this is an almost impossible task. They barely have any help from outside and not a lot of income to work with.
The film plays as a tragic comedy of sorts as you see the state of society while going about his daily business trying to provide a better life for their citizens with his hands tied. They are driving around to see about a sewage problem while worried about seeing the army coming down the hill. This is everyday life for them. At one-point Musa Hadid asks if people know what’s happening in the West Bank. This documentary is a view into life there. It leaves the viewer to decide for themselves what is going on as you see these civil servants and the community under constant weariness as they try to put out fires literally and figuratively. This documentary has larger themes at play.
The film has a melancholy charm to it that does shift tone but not in an abrupt way. The music is complementary to the everyday bureaucracy that is happening, and it is a well-paced film. It has no interviews or narration. It’s just a small glimpse into Palestine and its citizens and what they go through every day. This is not a history lesson because none of their past history is explained.
This film has a comical aspect to it mainly from Mayor Hadid who has a wry sense of humor. Mayor does not discuss religion although Mayor Hadid is a Christian and the town is shown preparing for Christmas celebrations in the midst of protests that sprung from the U.S. Embassy moving to Jerusalem. It shows people maintaining their dignity while fighting an uphill battle. In a Christmas tree lighting ceremony Mayor Hadid mentions that they must “remember to make space for joy until [they] get freedom and independence.”
Mayor would be well-suited for courses in international affairs, local governance, and Middle Eastern studies. It could even be used in psychology classes to discuss historical trauma. It is an observational film where you come to your own conclusions and people would benefit by seeing what they go through every day.
Awards:
DOC NYC-Winner’s Circle;
Boston Palestine Film Festival, Audience Award
CPH:DOX-NEXT: WAVE Award;
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Reva and David Logan Grand Jury Award;
Philadelphia Film Festival, Honorable Mention;
Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US-Unforgettables;
TRUE/FALSE Film Fest, Official Selection;
PTFF, Best Documentary Award;
Rooftop Films Summer Series, Official Selection;
BAM Cinema Fest, Official Selection;
HotDOCS, Official Selection;
idfa, Official Selection;
DokuFEST, Official Selection;
Camden International Film Festival, Official Selection;
Maryland Film Festival, Official Selection
Published and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Anyone can use these reviews, so long as they comply with the terms of the license.