Encounter Point

September 27, 2006

Everyone run don't walk to see this moving documentary about ordinary Israelis and Palestinians, many of whom have lost loved ones to the violence, who are working together to create dialogue and peace. It is not an airy-fairy rainbows and sunshine movie. It focusses on the nitty-gritty day-in day-out work of showing up at meetings, being honest, speaking out, showing up at demonstrations work of being an activist. I found it one of the most molving, inspiring things I have seen this year. It made me cry. The sorrow and the suffering are real, and out of that comes, not the thirst for revenge, but a real hunger for change,and a willingness to work tirelessly.

Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela--these great men have been heroes for many of us. This movie shows ordinary people who are not saints, struggling to put the principles of non-violence into action in their own lives. I can't think of anything more valuable.

To learn more about the film, check out www.encounterpoint.com or www.justvision.org , both great web sites. The film was made by four young women, Palestinian and Israeli, North and South American. It took five years to film. It is media that truly nourishes the soul and makes a difference.

Love,
Alison