Death in Gaza
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Saira ShahBrand: HBO Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Unknown; Arabic (Original Language); English (Original Language), Unknown; Hebrew (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 80 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-02-21
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Model: 92667
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Product features:
- This poignant and powerful documentary takes a shocking, first-hand look at the culture of hate that permeates the West Bank and Gaza, and which continues to escalate the perennial violence pitting Palestinians against Israelis. Starting out in the city of Nablus (where as many as 80 percent of suicide bombing plots are planned), James Miller and Saira Shah ended up in the Gaza town of Rafah, one
Movie Reviews of Death in Gaza
Movie Review: My review of the most striking moments/images in the film
Summary: 5 Stars
Context: The film and thus these comments are a snapshot of the situation "on the ground" in the West Bank and Gaza in 2003.
The film opens in Nablus (West Bank), where the Israelis are known to conduct many targeted assassinations. The rationale? Since the second Palestinian intifada (uprising) began in 2000, 80% of all suicide bombings are planned here. In addition to the assassinations of leaders, there has been a general military crackdown, as we experience firsthand by observing Israeli tanks rolling down Palestinian streets. As we observe the tanks' threatening manuevers (including a chase after stone-throwing children), co-director Saira Shah tells us that 800 Israelis and 2000 Palestinians have been killed in the three years since the second intifada began.
The directors then move to the Gaza strip, where most of the film is shot (in Rafah). We meet three Palestinian youth who are central to the narrative: Ahmed (12), his loyal friend Mohammed (12), and Najla (16).
At the beginning of the film, Saira asks: "How do children learn to hate? To die in order to kill?" We are meant to understand this documentary as an investigation into these issues. Almost right away we begin to learn to learn what these children believe, and what has led them to see things as they do. Mohammad says that his Mom has told him that the Israelis "shoot... They don't know Islam. They're criminals." Perhaps worried that he's creating the wrong impression, Mohammed adds: "I want to be nice to everyone, apart from the Jews."
We see that the Israelis are creating a "security zone" between Rafah and Egypt by bulldozing Palestinian houses.
On the stone walls, we see many posters of suicide bombers and innocent victims--all celebrated as martyrs in the struggle. Saira tells us that this is an effort to use the dead as propaganda to recruit more militants.
Then we meet Abdul Sattar (11). Abdul shows the filmmakers his "in case" letter to his family. The letter that they will receive if he is killed in the struggle. Abdul helps Saira decipher the string of colorful symbols, which say (in part): "I intend to continue jihad until I'm martyred."
We see Palestinian children playing "Jews and Arabs." In order to win this game, you have to die as a martyr.
Some of the things we hear the children say:
"The Israelis are cowards. They're afraid, but they pretend to be strong with those weapons."
"The Israelis are pigs. They don't know God. They don't know how to pray."
Najla leads a young female relative in chanting the names of the six family members who have died at the hands of the Israelis.
Another little girl says that the Jews are "sons of dogs." When Saira asks the little girl if she's ever met a Jew, the girl explains that she's seen them on TV. They wear helmets, they carry Kalishnikovs, they come in tanks, and they shoot.
Saira comments on Palestinian martyrdom: "They're outgunned by the Israelis. So they've turned death into victory."
Ahmed shows us the grave of his friend Hosni Al-Najjar, who was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper. He explains that the death of his friend moved him to start helping the resistance.
In a particularly chilling scene, we seen Ahmed (age 12) being indoctrinated by a group of masked Palestinian militants. After building rapport by playing a child's game with him, they show Ahmed how to hold a rocket launcher. He declares: "I'd like to blow up Sharon's house." The militant leader asks him: "After that?" Ahmed: "Martyrdom."
When Saira asks if it is right to deprive Ahmed of his childhood, the leader tells her that "We were deprived of a childhood." Some of the militants lost their little brothers in the struggle, he explains. Now Ahmed is their little brother.
When Saira persists in questioning the morality of putting Ahmed on the front lines ("Is it responsible?"), the leader becomes impatient. "Don't worry about responsibility, sister. When we say goodbye to Ahmed, there a thousand more kids like him."
We next see Ahmed in school, where the students are standing and reciting the poem "Identity Card" by Mahmoud Darwish (1964):
...I do not hate people Nor do I encroach But if I become hungry The usurper's flesh will become my food Beware... Beware... Of my hunger And my anger!
In another scene we see Ahmed with a friend, making quwas (handmade grenades).
Saira asks a Palestinian youth if he has any hopes for peace. Palestinian: "Peace is not possible." Saira: "Why?" Palestinian: "They've killed too many of us."
But aren't these Palestinian children too young?
One of them replies: "Martyrdom's not just for grown-ups."
In a quiet moment alone with Ahmed, Saira asks him if he's ever thought about what it might feel like to be shot. He seems genuinely puzzled. Stumped. It's clear that he's never thought about this before. After a long pause, he replies: "No--why would they shoot me? I'm a little boy."
We see Salem, a 14-year-old boy wounded by Israeli fire, rushed to the hospital where emergency surgery is performed. He dies six hours later. At the funeral, his sisters are told it's a disgrace to weep. It's time to rejoice. The mourners chant: "To Jerusalem we go... martyrs by the millions."
On their last day in Rafah, the filmmakers visit Mohammed, who is at home with his mother. Mohammed is worrying that his good friend Ahmed will be martyred without him. Mohammed wants to them to be martyred together. His mother objects: "Even if that makes your mother sad?" Yes. Mohammed is adamant. His mother calls for an end to this kind of talk, and asks him to think about going to university, about raising his own family, about peace. Mohammed reminds her that she has several children. "Let every house have one martyr."
When co-director James Miller is shot and killed by Israeli gunfire (the shooters are actually mercenary soldiers--Bedouin Arbas working for Israel), Palestinian militants put his face on a poster and celebrate him as another martyr for the cause. Saira objects to this, and notes that James would have as well.
In the epilogue, we learn that Ahmed has stopped working for the paramilitaries, and now he wants to be a cameraman. So does Mohammed.
Najaf's home was destroyed by Israeli soldiers... now she is homeless.
Co-director James Miller had planned to complete this film by interviewing Israeli children. Now he will never have the chance. Shouldn't Saira Shah, or someone, take up the mantle and complete this project? Without that next step, "Death in Gaza," however valuable as a historical document, is incomplete.
Summary of Death in Gaza
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