We finally got a chance to watch the controversial film Munich last night with the Jameeds, Beisan, and another friend. After the movie each of us had a different opinion. We could not really agree on whether the movie was balanced or not. I personally thought the movie was very well-made and did a decent job portraying both sides of the bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
I thought the movie’s message was targeted more towards Israelis, as it was highly critical of the actions of Mossad’s killing machine and the blind patriotism that exits amidst Israeli society. One particular quote that stood out was from Carl, a skeptical Mossad agent: "Israel was not created by being nice." Another quote of note was that from a trigger-happy Mossad agent who remarked that the only thing that matters to him is Jewish blood.
One thing I liked about the movie was that unlike many other Hollywood movies, Palestinians were portrayed as human and not just these blood-thirsty terrorists. They were shown as refined, highly cultured, and family-oriented. The film also questioned the involvement of the targeted Palestinians in the actual killing of Israeli athletes in Munich.
Blogger Angry Arab believes that the majority of those assassinated "had nothing to do with Munich" and that the movie failed miserably in showing their innocence. I tend to agree with Angry Arab that the alleged Palestinian involvement should have been dissected more thoroughly. Although the movie made sure to present the Palestinian side of the story, I thought it was shown a bit hastily and not given enough prominence. For someone unaware of the conflict, the Palestinian side of the story might not have been made clear enough.
The movie was also highly informative for me personally. One interesting bit was seeing Ehud Barak dressed as a woman while pursuing PLO fedayeen in Beirut. The movie’s final message: Violence breeds violence and tit-for-tat policies only result in more bloodshed. Overall, I thought the movie was very good and I’d give it a score of 8/10. Here are some reactions from the blogosphere: Angry Arab, Palforce, and Egyptian Sandmonkey.
I think Jeff has a point about understanding why people do what they do.Terrorism and murder do not exist in a vacuum,and we should pay attention to the context.However,there comes a point when understanding and empathy must give way to ultimatums and action.If an intruder enters my home and tries to harm my family,I do not care if he had a bad childhood or is addicted to drugs,and there is no excuse for his behavior.He will suffer the consequences,no matter what his motivation or justification.
The Palestinian situation is not entirely the fault of the Israelis,and the amount of anti-semitism in the world is way out of proportion to their numbers and influence.Israel will always be a thorn in the flesh to her enemies,but she will never be defeated by them.
Speaking of giving criminals the keys to the city,has anyone noticed what’s happening in Gaza since it was returned to the Palestinians? Yep,it’s becoming a home base for terrorists. So much for the idea of land for peace,eh? Btw,the president of Iran said he hopes Ariel Sharon dies.But Sharon did what the Palestinian wanted,didn’t he? Why then aren’t they praying for his recovery? I’m still trying to understand Islam,and am learning a lot by reading the koran…but in the interest of tolerance I will keep my opinions to myself.
Peace
Sorry we have a basic difference of how to deal with criminals.
If the world meets the demands of “hamas” … do you think they will amend their charter?
Give the criminals the keys to the city and crime will stop is not acceptable solution for me.
Jeff,
The only thing I may disagree with Basboos on is the suggestion that “hostage taking” was legitimate somehow. I can try to understand that but I fail.
As to your statement-
“Actions based upon simplistic understandings of a circumstance produce dire consequence; ones that are perhaps unexpected (see Iraq War). Trying to understand -– even those things we might find reprehensible -– is important and can be a step to making this a better world. Don’t confuse understanding with acceptance or justification.”
Is there a type of understanding you want to entertain? What is the difference in “simplistic” understanding and – just plain understanding? How hard is it to understand Osama and his like? “We declare war on America.” I understand.
“We want to eliminate you.” from Mawassi(?), a former LEADER of Hezbollah. I understand that.
So America will do what it has had to do before – defend ourselves. And not tolerate those who do not tolerate us. My understanding of that is clear. And it may be, as you say, “simplistic”, but they have not made it complicated to deal with. We shouldn’t confuse understanding with inaction or tolerance.
As you said “Risking your mores — for a moment -– by trying to understand why on earth someone might do something you find reprehensible can produce a benefit.” Not for me. Murder is something I also understand. And murder of children is something I understand – I understand it is reprehensible, disgusting and heart breaking. I see no benfit in risking my mores to “understand” killing a child. The Islamic facists say the children are fair game. I say kill the facists. Maybe THEY will then understand that we won’t tolerate their behavior. Two way street.
I would only say, to the both of you, that I don’t think Basboos (though I’m not speaking for her), Spielberg, or I is trying to excuse murder. If you are unable to get past that, perhaps that’s an issue you should examine. This film is not an excuse for anything. Some have described it as an apologetic for the Israeli actions that follow those of Black September. It’s a film geared towards Jews, IMHO, that attempts to explain how these actions could have happened, examining whether or not there is “any” way to accept them.
When an action is taken that you find reprehensible, you can strike back, you can ignore, you can hate … you can do many things. But perhaps the best thing is to try to understand the context. That doesn’t suggest you’ll ever accept what occurred or that you should. That’s not the point. What I am saying is that trying to understand could benefit you. Risking your mores — for a moment -– by trying to understand why on earth someone might do something you find reprehensible can produce a benefit.
You can choose to live in a black and white world, saying, “that’s just wrong,” where there are only innocents and murder never has justification. I’m sure that’s a wonderful “ideal” place. But thoughts like that strike me as a bit naïve. Things are never quite that simple. Actions based upon simplistic understandings of a circumstance produce dire consequence; ones that are perhaps unexpected (see Iraq War). Trying to understand -– even those things we might find reprehensible -– is important and can be a step to making this a better world. Don’t confuse understanding with acceptance or justification.
I think you’re wring Jeff – I think Craig is being fair. Basboos may also be right in that both Palestinians and Israeli’s are tired of the violence. While it is true that no one was real familiar with the plo or the palestinian “problem”, the MURDER of the athletes is still unacceptable and not within reason. Basboos noted “…after almost of 30 years of constant killing of INNOCENT palestinians by the Isralis.”(sic). That’s perspective too – the same valid perspective that Craig has of murder. No one seems to be apologizing about that. It’s always as though taking hostages is legitimate – and murdering them expected.
And what of the Palestinian problem? How will it be solved? Basboos suggests the film has an answer. But how is it implemented and who starts it? It doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
“Seeing things, even if only for a moment, from a slightly different angle can provide a more complete understanding.” I don’t ever want to see murder from a different angle. Murdering Palestinians is no justification for murdering Israeli’s – or vice versa – it’s still murder. Perspective is when you irrationally excuse it.
Jeff, I don’t WANT to see murder of the innocent as anything but what it IS, an act of absolute EVIL. I have no sympathy for murderers. May they burn in hell for eternity, whether they are Palestinian or otherwise. There’s no gray area when it comes to murder of the innocent. Hate is not an excuse for murder, Jeff. Suffering is not an excuse for murder. Injsutice is not an excuse for murder. There is NO excuse for murder.
My apologies to Bosboos for misunderstanding her gender.
Um, Basboos is a ‘she’ there Craig. But since you are unable to reconcile things that differ from your particular worldview that reality likely doesn’t matter to you. There are different perspectives out there BTW. Sometimes you might find that you actually learn something when you allow that your perspective might not be 100% correct – it rarely ever is. Seeing things, even if only for a moment, from a slightly different angle can provide a more complete understanding. It is only once that effort is made — that you take that risk — that you can really claim to fully comprehend an event. Even if you disagree with what that view might present, you’ve learned something by taking a moment to consider it. That’s really one of the best parts of the movies isn’t it? Although, I’m fairly certain Spielberg won’t miss you.
Basboos:
“Many recounts of what happend in Munich show that after the german police started firing at the hostage takers in the airport did they shoot back and kill themselves and the hostages….Had their demands been met and had they not been trapped i am sure the result would have been different…”
The hostage takers are responsible for what happened to the hostages. Period. They created that situation, and they are responsible for it’s conclusion.
“Its very sad that the first time you and many others had heard of the word “plo” and “arafat” for the first time was in 1972…after almost of 30 years of constant killing of INNOCENT palestinians by the Isralis.”
Dude! I was NINE YEARS OLD!! I was watching the damned Olympics.
“Its very sad that the Palestinians had to reach such a radical conclusion and use hostage taking as a way to make their voice heard..and let the world take notice of their suffering…”
If you think I took notice of their “suffering” you are badly mistaken! I took notice of their MURDERING.
I’m going to boycott this movie now, sine Boosboos likes it. I cannot find a way to reconcile his views of what happened at Munich in 1972 with my own, and I don’t want to watch a movie that supports his version.
And by the way…Aside from what really happened in Munich…I think the bottom line of this movie is a very honorable message “Stop the constant Bloodshed”, and violence only brings more violence.Its a great message sent by Speilberg during the world political events we are living now…I think that both the innocent Israeli and Palestinian citizens have had enough and want Peace….
Jack…
While we all condemn the act of hostage taking…I would like to correct the very false statement you just made: “The only part about Munich that we know for sure is that “Palestinian” terrorist killed innocent Isreali athletes”
Thats not true…Many recounts of what happend in Munich show that after the german police started firing at the hostage takers in the airport did they shoot back and kill themselves and the hostages….Had their demands been met and had they not been trapped i am sure the result would have been different…
and Craig…Its very sad that the first time you and many others had heard of the word “plo” and “arafat” for the first time was in 1972…after almost of 30 years of constant killing of INNOCENT palestinians by the Isralis. Its very sad that the Palestinians had to reach such a radical conclusion and use hostage taking as a way to make their voice heard..and let the world take notice of their suffering…