Last night Mrs. X pulled me from scrum practice to go see Encounter Point . This is a very well made and powerful film. You can check out the trailer on the website.

The amazing thing about it is that they follow both Israeli and Palestinian people who want to open a dialogue with each other. All the main figures in the movie have had a close relative who was killed in the conflict, and yet rather than hold on to anger and revenge, they seek a new path. The movie is about how these folks get together on both sides of the border and talk and share their stories with each other, and their common desire for peace.

It was really something to see this kernel of a positive movement captured on film. This gets straight to the heart of one of the only hopeful ways forward. I hope as many people as possible get to see this movie.

It is poignant to see both Isrealis and Palestinians see that there are in fact people on the other side who are different than what they are told or see in the media . Amazing how they just don't see each other as reasonable, peaceful citizens. This movement is really enlightening many people over there.

At the screening the director was in the audience and spoke and took questions afterwards. They hope this gets considered for the Academy Awards. They are still looking for a distributor, so you may not see this in the theaters for awhile. Nonetheless, keep your eyes out for this film.

The film is made by an amazing group called Just Vision .

Wow. That trailer is really powerful. I wonder if I could point the local art cinema toward getting that movie.

What this really seems to be is a grass roots effort to create dialog on both sides of the conflict, build some understanding, and make it possible to create peace without the governments. It takes time and an incredible amount of dedication on the part of the people who believe in it, but it can work. Then, they can press the governments into using the relationships formed to make peace official (or whatever you call it...)

I'll hope that the film gets distributed up this way, or that it gets out in DVD.

Looks like a good movie.

Funny, when u choose to understand the other side and break the cycle of
violences, beings a path to peace, funny.

Just what we needed in here RX. Something positive... :)