Living peaceably with one's neighbors is something maybe we all think about at one point in our lives but rarely take the time or energy to give much thought to it other than in passing.
In Lassaad Elgaieb's enlightening documentary, "El Ghriba's Jews" we learn of a place where neighbors do get along with one another and live in harmony, even though a large majority of the population is Jewish and the other half is Muslim.
In a powerful example of human kindness, we learn that every year on the island of Djerba, a joint dinner is coordinated by the leaders of the Synagogue and Mosque for Jews and Muslims to feast together during the religious observance of the Muslim Ramadan which coincides with the annual pilgrimage of Djerba.
In many ways, the documentary carries a layer of simplicity that makes us feel as if the camera isn't there at all and the camera is there to document, to capture, not interpret for us. Through this method, the audience too feels that they are guests of Djerba, getting to experience the authentic island culture, the cuisine, the languages and hear the community sing traditional songs and join with them in celebration of holy days and local cultural observances.
In one part of the film, a local Hasidic Jew speaks about the longstanding positive history of the Jewish people living alongside the Muslim people. He says: "Djerba is the perfect example in Tunisia that we've been living without the UN to protect us. We've been living and enjoying the friendship and hospitality and gracious home of Tunisia. And all of the Muslim and Arab lands were our friends and saved us at the time of the crusades and the inquisition and by the Second World War."
The island residents discuss the impact the Zionist movement has had on the community over the years with Jewish families leaving the island of Djerba for Israel. The film shows representatives of the Tunisian government such as Renee Trabelsi coming to visit Djerba and celebrating with the people.
A local woman named Anna Kabla takes to the podium and speaks of the unity of the people of Djerba. Reiterated throughout the film is this feeling of social cohesion. Despite their differences including having different faith practices, the island people coexist together and remain unified as Tunisians, having more in common than not.
Rating: A
Comments
Post a Comment