The Time That Remains

5.0

0.0 (0)

The Time That Remains is the final film in a trilogy (the first Chronicle of a Disappearance (1996) and Divine Intervention (2002)) on varying events surrounding the Israeli occupation of Palestine, with this film focusing on 1948 and the time thereafter.

Palestinian-born film-maker Elia Suleiman, who writes, directs and stars in the film, takes us on an autobiographical, and quite original, look at the Israeli occupation of Palestine from 1948 onwards. Suleiman based the film on a series of diary entries that his father made after the occupation and letters written to his family by his mother, following their escape to Jordan. The opening scenes, following an almost farcical look at the occupation and surrender, then to a striking mock-execution of Elia’s father, set the mood for the story and underlying message of the film.

The Time That Remains is a low-key, but still very political film that is essentially a black comedy, utilizing biting satire and amazingly well-constructed visual jokes that work on so many scales. Beautifully shot, the technique is something to behold alone, the film takes us through the life of Elia from youth, to adolescence, early manhood and then, as finally, a middle-aged man and his relationship to his parents.

It’s not so much a raging protest film as a subtle, warm and brilliantly charming account of an almost impasse-based existence, with an occupation that, not surprisingly, never moved life forward for Palestinians as 'Israeli Arabs' in their homeland. Suleiman’s own turn in the movie, in the present-day, sees him cut a striking figure, without saying a word, as he goes back to his childhood home and it is this last piece of the film that drives home a message of contrast from the opening scenes of resistance. I won’t spoil it here, but some of the scenes are amazingly funny, with some of the most biting satire I have seen in a film in a long time, watch out for the tank scene. The latter scenes depicting his return to his elderly mother are also filled with humor, are touching and perfectly deliver the underlying message of the film.

This is a special film, neither for its portrayal subject matter nor for telling a uniquely balanced, human view of a very difficult topic. It’s special because it delivers a subtlety not often seen in cinema, especially on this most personal of topics, and it’s delivered with the warmth of personal experience, bringing to life the characters in a way that can only be described as heartfelt.

WATCH IT FOR

The beautiful imagery and shots - this is a film to behold, with some funny and light dialogue to accompany the difficult subject matter.

MISS IT FOR

Nothing really, unless it's not showing where you are!

Watch the trailer

Editor review

Leave a comment