THE OLIVE HARVEST Beyond Conflict: Focus on the Middle East

Writer/ director Hanna Elias eschews convention in this heartfelt drama set in a small Palestinian village. By avoiding the calcified rhetoric of extremists on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict-choosing instead to explore a painful love triangle-the film smartly emphasizes the universality of the human condition.

Younger brother Taher greets Mazen upon his release from prison, and then drives his older brother home lo a rousing welcome from his Palestinian village. En route, Taher explains that Israeli settlements have edged closer to their olive groves, which sets up the discomfort felt during the daily encounters al security checkpoints. Attempting lo re-integrate, Mazen struggles lo find his place after his incarceration. He also begins lo fall for the beautiful Raeda, unaware that Taher has had his eye on her for some time. This central conflict between the two brothers plays out in a touching, yet realistic fashion.

The strength of Elias’ storytelling lies in the decision lo place the wellknown – yet frequently oversimplified – political conflict in the background, in order to focus on the ongoing human experience in the village. Stripped of the expected scapegoating and stereotypes, the film quietly reveals three-dimensional characters struggling with the same issues affecting families of all religions and ethnicities, all over the world.