What common cause could possibly unite a Jew and an Arab? To find the answer you should watch this short (7 minute) film titled “Strangers” by director Erez Tadmor.
If you liked that (and of course you did) you’ll love his follow-up, the short (5 minute) film “Offside“.
Both films provide powerful analyses of violence, objectification, and a shared humanity. It is fascinating to see how in each case the disturbing, bewildering, and very occasionally inspiring geopolitical history of nations can be captured in the interactions of individuals. Occasionally theologians and philosophers have proposed that the problem of violence and injustice arises only with social groups and institutions rather than individuals. But I think it is clear that the problem at the social level ultimately lies with the individual. Nations can only engage in egregious acts of violence and oppression because the sum of their parts — the individuals and human-created institutions that make them up — make those acts possible.
But who would have thought that Nazis could provide the way to unite Jew and Arab?
