Movieo
Poster for Divine Intervention

Divine Intervention

2002 · 1h 32m · N/A Comedy, Drama, Romance
Directed by Elia Suleiman

Seen it?

Overview

Santa Claus tries to outrun a gang of knife-wielding youth. It's one of several vignettes of Palestinian life in Israel - in a neighborhood in Nazareth and at Al-Ram checkpoint in East Jerusalem. Most of the stories are droll, some absurd, one is mythic and fanciful; few words are spoken. A man who goes through his mail methodically each morning has a heart attack. His son visits him in the hospital. The son regularly meets a woman at Al-Ram; they sit in a car, hands caressing. Once, she defies Israeli guards at the checkpoint; later, ninja-like, she takes on soldiers at a target range. A red balloon floats free overhead. Neighbors toss garbage over walls. Life goes on until it doesn't.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
81%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The visual puns, sight gags and the little parables told by the few speaking characters are rarely laugh-out-loud funny. But they provoke thought, debate and diverse interpretations.

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh

It makes for an intriguing example of how to use art, rather than bombs, to make a sustained political point.

Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Fresh

Simmering, sharply observed work.

Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Fresh

Suleiman's argument seems to be that the situation between Palestinians and Israelis has settled into an hopeless stalemate, in which everyday life incorporates elements of paranoia, resentment and craziness.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

A film whose eerie blend of deadpan wit and inner angst upset all your expectations.

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Comments

Talk about the film with other members

More films