From farmers’ chicken dens and irrigation installations to people’s homes and even children’s schools, no matter how harmless the variety of structures from small stone villages in the hills of the West Bank might be, none appear fully safeguarded against the relentless bulldozing performed by heavily armed Israeli claiming this land is in fact military practice ground being illegally occupied. The unvarnished footage of senseless demolition and violence against innocent people under this demonstrably false pretext should enrage any viewer regardless of their political conviction.
No Other Land is by no means pretending to be an in-depth history lesson let alone paint a nuanced overview of the current state of affairs. Rather, it’s sort of presenting a slice of life focussing on the experience of a specific group in a specific place during a specific period of time. It’s powerful. Yes. Infuriating. Absolutely. But as such, the depiction could possibly be perceived as somewhat one-sided or reductive. Of course we can assume everyone is aware that atrocities have been committed by fanatics on both sides, but one could venture it never hurts to briefly acknowledge it at least.
Then again, perhaps part of the strength of this film is that prior knowledge from the viewer is assumed and thus very little context is provided. This allows for the core story to take front stage, namely the evolving dynamic between two young men. Basel, a Palestinian activist capturing and broadcasting the ongoing destruction and Yuval, an Israeli journalist documenting his efforts. It is endearing to behold how they establish rapport through their common goal and over the course of several years develop a rather unique type of relationship. During some of their more laid-back discussions (while smoking a hookah in the yard or watching the sun set, or driving around the hills) it almost feels like you’re right there with them. Just a bunch of dudes hanging out shaking their heads in ever-increasing cynicism and disbelief as this absurd conflict keeps unfolding before their very eyes.
