The Land of the Fathers (1974)

Directed by: George Sluizer | 34 minutes | documentary

‘The Land of the Fathers’ is the first film in a series of four, about two Palestinian families who were driven from their homeland when the state of Israel was proclaimed. In this short documentary we see some of the daily life in a camp in Lebanon, where the difficult questions are not shunned. It is a fascinating portrait, without easy answers, but also without judgment or obvious position. Now, more than four decades later, it is distressing to see that nothing has actually changed. However, through these kinds of films you get more and more insight and the realization that it is above all a very tragic situation; a vicious circle from which there seems to be no escape and from which pointing fingers is meaningless.

We see a Muslim and Catholic family and in both cases they are just sympathetic families trying to shape their lives and live a life with some dignity. But, of course, there is also a deep-seated desire to return to their homeland, which they once had to flee, and which has been taken from Israel. We see the result of bombing, and how the inhabitants of the camp just rebuild their houses with fresh courage, hang curtains, and continue to fight against their oppressors. Although many of the people in the picture are taking part in the violent struggle against Israel, they are not stupid, screaming militants, but ‘just’ reasonable talking people who would do anything to get their country back and to be able to really feel at home somewhere. to feel.

Nor is it the case that the camera is pushed away or the answer is often ‘no comment’. No, almost everyone tells their story, sometimes short, powerful and in clear terms, sometimes extensive and more nuanced. You probably don’t really know what to think after seeing this film, and that’s a good thing. The film stimulates and makes you think critically for yourself.

George Sluizer received an award after completing the four documentaries about these families of the Palestinians; for supporting the Palestinian cause. You would therefore think that he has also emphatically profiled himself as anti-Israel or pro-Palestine. But this is no simple, cheap propaganda film. At least not this first part yet.

In this way Sluizer does not avoid the difficult questions. In fact, he quickly goes into it by asking if the son of one of the families is a terrorist. Surprisingly. But the man (who resembles a young Al Pacino) doesn’t get angry. He keeps quiet by saying that he doesn’t quite understand what the interviewer means. That he believes there is no such thing as a terrorist. Very evasive of course and begs for further questions and deepening, which unfortunately do not follow, but it is clear that on the one hand he is not ashamed or intends to apologize for his armed struggle, and that there are complex motivations behind this on the other. In short: let the viewer make his own judgment.

It all also seems to remain very peaceful—almost suspiciously peaceful—when his father is asked if he feels much hatred in him. It says that this is not the case. And that he feels absolutely no hatred towards the Jewish people in general, but especially towards the Zionist, Israeli government. Reassuring for the viewer who mainly hopes to see a human – read: peaceful – portrait. Later it becomes – fortunately, you would almost say – a bit sharper when the same man goes into history and explains that it is the fault of the British, but especially the Americans, that ‘the Jews’ have moved into their country en masse. So if he ever had the opportunity to kill two Americans, one Briton, and one Jew, he could die peacefully. Yes, you have to see it in perspective, but still: it remains difficult to stomach.

The discussions in the camp itself are refreshing, also by the participants: old, young, man and woman are all given the opportunity to express their opinion, although there is a clear hierarchy. It is interesting when the elderly state that they should never give up the fight, if only to keep their face and dignity towards their own children (and grandchildren). They will also learn about their history and wonder why their parents did not (or did not) go to war.

It is also fascinating to see how life is permeated with the desire for freedom and the return to the homeland, of the never-ending struggle. Whatever they are engaged in, it is always there, in the background or very much in the foreground. Somewhat disturbing, but also understandable, it is how children en masse chant freedom slogans, seemingly as a daily ritual. Whether they understand everything is the question – they laugh and then continue to play happily – but slowly but surely these ideas settle permanently in the heads of these children. Rightly or not, given the injustice that has been done to the people, it is very unfortunate that they cannot just be children alone and break free from their history.

‘The Land of the Fathers’ is an intriguing first look at these two families and it certainly makes you curious about the next parts.