Something's Coming--Something Good!

     Could it be...yes it could! A 20-minute long video that combines Shakespeare, the music of "West Side Story," and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict! “West Bank Story” is a short video made for the Sundance Film Festival.  In this film, a beautiful Palestinian  falls in love with an Israeli soldier. Naturally, their families are mortal enemies/rival falafel stand owners whose fights end up destroying both of their homes!

      The director of this film has Israeli roots and has traveled throughout the Middle East. He sought to make the seemingly hopeless situation in the Middle East look funny, but still be balanced and make jokes on both sides. The response to it from Jews and Muslims/Arabs has been very positive, and it won an Oscar.

     You can pick up on some really fun allusions if you know some of the history and current events of the Middle East, Judaism, Islam, and "West Side Story." Look for:

• Intifada
• The wall between Israel and Palestine
• The Hummus Hut's advertising call sounds just like the Islamic call to prayer
•  Music from Leonard Bernstein, tabaan!

     Just thought some people might get a kick out of this---I watched it for my Middle Eastern geography class, and I  certainly did.