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Asel Asleh – Encouraging change in Israel
Stewart Mills
Asel Asleh, is a film named in memory of a 17 year old Palestinian-Israeli student who died during the early stages of the violence in Israel and the Occupied Territories following 29 September 2000.
The story is based on a fictional American Jewish journalist who came to Israel to write a story on Asel following the news of his death. The journalist, ‘Sarah Wallburn,’ was first introduced to Asel in Washington DC, at Seeds of Peace summer camp. This organization initiated to build relationships between young persons in conflict.
Sarah was taken by Asel's openness, warmth, intelligence and good-nature. Sarah believed it was people like Asel who would take part in the creation of a new region of peace in the region and she was shocked on hearing news of his death.
During Sarah’s return to Israel to research the life of Asel she is assisted by Ashraf, a Palestinian-Israeli human rights lawyer. Initially Ashraf is hesitant to work with Sarah, however, a connection is made and the two travel together to the north of Israel as well as the Occupied Territories.
Tension is shown between the two as romance develops, and as the story of Asel becomes clearer. Sarah meets a Gandhi-like figure, Elias Chacour, a Palestinian-Israeli, who was Asel's high school principal. Elias provides a wisdom which provides a message of hope.
Whilst researching the story of Asel, Sarah also searches for the meaning behind a message of an amulet she has been given by her grandmother. Her search helps her encounter the spiritual or mystical side of the Holy Land.
The story is set mostly in Israel, although at times the story occurs in the Occupied Territories and in the United States. The time of the story is between December 2000 and February 2001.
Storylines
Storyline 1
Life for the people of Asel and Ashraf
These are the storylines developed which give an insight into the life of the people of Asel and Ashraf, there friends, family and persons that meet along the way.
Examples of events in this story include:
Travelling within the Occupied Territories Sarah encounters a roadblock. It is here where Sarah witnesses the unpleasant side of occupation e.g. she meets a pregnant lady who was refused passage to Jerusalem to see the specialist, because of road closures.
The life of an angry, frustrated Palestinian of the Occupied Territories is told. He is a taxi driver that Sarah meets, who shows her an ugly side of humanity. Muzamil is 28 years old. His older brother had been put in prison for six months during the first intifada.
The life of a Palestinian who had been put in prison for one month is also told. He had been picked up by some Israeli soldiers, who were in pursuit of some boys who had thrown rocks at their jeep.
Storyline 2
Life for the people of Sarah
Similarly, this is the storyline which is developed that give an insight into the life of the people of Sarah, her friends, family and persons she meets along the way within Israel and the United States.
Storyline 3
The experience of Father Elias Chacour is shared. Through Chacour - the message of peaceful coexistence is encouraged. Chacour tells some of his own story from 1947 including: his village life in Biram (which was depopulated); his time studying in Paris, Jerusalem and Ibillin.
Mention is made of the time Chacour gave blood for Israeli soldiers; his 1972 peace march; his action of building of community centres (in which he showed ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ film); his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize; and his building of a high school at Ibillin. Also Elias’ journey to the United States, to obtain a building permit for the high school at Ibillin, and his meeting with James Baker is told.
Storyline 4.
The mystical: This element provides an entry into the Palestinian-Israeli conflict indirectly. Sarah has been given an amulet by her grandmother, which has a Hebrew message. The amulet is significant later in the film, as it is Ashraf who tells Sarah of the equivalent Arabic message. They travel in search of a cave/hill/castle which the message talks about.
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