Omar

Omar.
Dir. Hany Abu-Assad.
2014.

The first Palestinian film nominated for an Oscar to actually have Palestine listed as its country of origin, which is notable in itself.

Omar is the story of a young man who joins two childhood friends in a violent act of rebellion against the Israeli occupation, and the inescapable, ineffable, irretrievable tragedy which results.  But it is not sentimental, nor a cautionary or morality tale, and not even a direct protest film, which makes it all the more powerful.

Indeed, much after the film you can analyze the roles in the script and see how they can represent actors in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the ending of the story itself as representing the conflict as a whole.  But as experienced, the film shies away from easy symbolism, and more importantly, the characters feel lived, true, and authentic, with real emotional weight and resonance for the viewer.

The film focuses tightly on the three Palestinian rebels, Omar's girlfriend Nadia, and his interrogator, the Israeli agent Rami.  The film excels in using quick, wry vignettes to bring each of the five main characters to life.   Omar's friend Amjad can do a mean impression of Marlon Brando as the Godfather; Omar and Nadja converse in playful, touching banter; and even Rami gets a few minutes being henpecked on the phone by his demanding wife and difficult mother.

The cast, mostly unknowns, is brilliant, completely convincing in every frame.  Nadia (Leem Lubany) in particular brings an appealing girlishness and sincerity that highlights how young all the four Palestinians really are, and while seemingly confident and worldly-wise, at their core how young to be dealing with the brutalities of the occupation and its consequences.



4*
Feb 2015