5 Broken Cameras 2011
- Country Occupied Palestinian Territory/Israel/France/Netherlands
- Production Year 2011
- Language Arabic, Hebrew
- Duration 90 minutes
- Directors Emad Burnat Guy Davidi
Filmed from the perspective of a Palestinian farm labourer (Emad Burnat), 5 BROKEN CAMERAS was shot using six different video cameras – five of which were destroyed in the process of filming. Emad, who lives in Bil'in, just west of the city of Ramallah in the West Bank, was thrust into global politics when his community peacefully resisted Israeli plans to erect a wall through their land to separate them from the ever-growing Israeli settlements. Initially given the camera to chronicle the birth and childhood of his son Gibreel, the film captures Gibreel growing into a precocious preschooler over six years, against the backdrop of the many non-violent protests that have become an intrinsic part of life in Bil'in. An extraordinary work of both cinematic and political activism, 5 BROKEN CAMERAS daringly meshes personal essay with political cinema, displaying how images and cameras can change lives and realities.
Winner, Sundance World Cinema Documentary Directing Award
Winner, Best Documentary, Jerusalem Film Festival
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Arts Picturehouse
06:30 pm Tuesday 18th September
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Arts Picturehouse
03:00 pm Saturday 22nd September
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Rex Dunn wrote
'5 Broken Cameras': Film makers shoot film, but in this case with lethal consequences. The IDF shot and broke Emad Burnat's camera 5 times, because they did not want anyone to record and broadcast what Israel is really doing, i.e. violently suppressing Palestinian resistance to the expansion of Israeli settlements on their land. Yes, Palestinian children and youths throw rocks at the heavily armed soldiers. But wouldn't you if some one pushed you off your property and then built a wall to stop you from taking it back! The defending villagers, who have lived in this place for generations, are met with tear gas and live rounds, one of which killed the film maker's friend. Yet they continue their resistance.
Some viewers might criticise the authenticity of this documentary. On the one hand, it was filmed by a non-professional Palestinian Arab. On the other, professionals were involved in the post-editing process. But this fact is made clear in the film's credits. I don't think such help detracts from the veracity of the film. Other viewers may question the fact that we see shots of the resistance from the Israeli army's perspective. How come? Some Israeli citizens oppose their government's settlement policy. They were not only there to show their solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters; they were also able to get behind their own soldiers. They recorded their own footage and gave it to the film's director. As for the soldiers, it was clear that some of them enjoy their role as oppressors, but others clearly do not. Nothing was faked. One camera was destroyed by a bullet, because Emad was being targeted. The footage comes to an abrupt halt, but not before he has recorded the shooting of an unarmed man. His death is real! Apart from footage of several killings, including children, one of the most memorable scenes showed centuries-old living olive trees burning after being set alight by Israeli settlers.
I hope this film will be shown around Britain, if only to counter the lies that are told about Israel's right to defend its territory. But exactly what is Israel's territory, since it is expanding its borders all the time! On the other hand, the people of Bil'in bravely attempt to resist their oppressors by non-violent means. So not all Arabs are terrorists. A final word must go to what one viewer said at the film's end: 'So what are we going to do about it? Good question!