Settler recites Jewish prayer in compelling documentary about ongoing battle between Israelis and Palestinians over land ownership and governance
THE SETTLERS (Shimon Dotan, 2016)
Film Forum
209 West Houston St.
Opens Friday, March 3
212-727-8110
filmforum.org
www.facebook.com
Shimon Dotan’s The Settlers opens with purposefully shaky, uneasy shots from a car speeding down a highway and through a tunnel, then cuts to a calm, peaceful view of a vast, beautiful landscape interrupted by a community of bland houses, creating just the right mood shifts for this compelling documentary, which traverses the history of the controversial Israeli settlements that have been a pivotal part of a possible peace treaty between Israelis and Palestinians. Dotan speaks with Rabbi Hanan Porat, the Israeli man considered to be one of the founders of the settlement movement; Palestinian human rights activist Raja Shehadeh, esq.; and a wide range of settlers who defend their right to live where they want to. Dotan also traces the political history of the region over the last century, examining several wars and how the map of the area has continued to change. The film opens March 3 at Film Forum, with writer-director Dotan, whose previous award-winning films include Hot House and The Smile of the Lamb, participating in Q&As following the 7:30 show Friday night, the 7:15 show on Saturday, and the 2:50 show on Sunday.