Controversy continues to swirl over the recent release of “Miral,” a film about Palestinians made by acclaimed Jewish-American director Julian Schnabel. The spark was a remarkable and inspiring event that occurred at the United Nations building in New York in mid-March when the General Assembly played host to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars for the film's premiere.
Remarkable because “Miral” is the first mainstream Hollywood film about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict told from a Palestinian point of view, and inspiring because so many people came out in support of the filmmakers despite criticism from the Israeli government, the American Jewish Committee, and others who called for the cancellation of the screening.
Based on my autobiographical novel and directed by Julian Schnabel, “Miral” follows the lives of three generations of women in my family, including my own, from the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, through the 1967 War, the first Intifada in 1987, and the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993.
Because “Miral” is a Palestinian story told through Palestinian eyes, it has been attacked by some as “anti-Israel.” It would seem that to these critics the mere existence of Palestinians is threatening. “Miral” is not “anti-Israel,” it is pro-understanding and pro-peace. It is intended to advance dialogue by giving voice to the Palestinian narrative, which has gone unheard in Israel and the United States for far too long....READ MORE
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