The Film Movement November DVD/VOD releases of the 2016 Israeli documentary "The Settlers" is an awesome addition to the movies marking the 50th anniversary of the titular Jewish people becoming contentious residents of the West Bank. One cool aspect of this is that this issue provides fodder for story lines about similar occupations in several "Star Trek" series and films.
On a broader level, "Settlers" evokes thoughts of the (Unreal TV reviewed) Movement 2013 DVD release of the fictional film "Allyah" about a young Jewish man living in Paris who considers making Tel Aviv his new home. A exchange that should resonant with everyone who has survived a Jewish mother has the sister of the lead ask him if he really wants to live in a country where everyone is like their parents.
"Settlers" director Shimon Dotan takes a praise-worthy objective approach to arguably the most contentious issue of the 20th (and 21st) century; namely, Jewish settlers occupying the West Bank in the wake of the 1967 Six-Day War. One of the titular residents taking exception to the titular term nicely summarizes the underlying issue; a talking head from the other side of the issue expressing having no problems with his Jewish neighbors so long as they are willing to play nicely proposes what seems to be a reasonable solution.
Dotan employs pure documentary style in chronicling the underlying dispute literally from its origins to 2015; he further allows his subjects on both sides to have their say. One of the most telling aspects of this is the societal branding of the enemy who goes on the attack as terrorists and placing folks on your side who create mayhem in a more positive light.
Dotan is particularly effective in introducing the audience to a settler who seems noteworthy for her large number of children; we meet her again in the context of her desire to get her son circumcised in a particular geographic location becoming a huge political issue and that boy being at the center of an even larger controversy a few months later.
The most amusing segment relates to a highway from the West Bank for the literal bridge-and-tunnel crowd who work in Israel. One commuter admits that driving at a specific high speed allows him to have a seven-minute commute.
Better-know subjects of the documentary include the leaders of the settlement movement and every Israeli prime minister in the past 50 years. Dotan clearly shows how the views of the government heads regarding the settlements are the sole determining issue regarding the support of the Jewish folks living in the controversial communities.
The objectivity of the documentary extends to not expressing any opinions regarding the merits of the arguments on both sides; nor does it actively purport to have a solution for what seems to be a never-ending situation.
The perspective of one who only found relative peace (but forever will be highly resentful) on moving after 13 years of battling a condo. board that provided no services/crucial repairs or ability to be heard despite a $450 monthly fee (and regular assessments charged without any prior notice) and almost as long having open conflict with neighbors whose literally psychotic teen is far from the only issue is that the settlers accepting a Plan B may be the only solution. Being forced from one's home is one of the worst experiences in life. However, either actively battling or having a new conflict disrupt very temporary peace precludes any hope of peace.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Settlers" is strongly encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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