Divine Intervention

2002 Comedy Drama

Director Elia Suleiman uses a mixture of romantic comedy and quirky humor to shed light on the problems of Palestinians in Yadon Ilaheyya (Divine Intervention). E.S. (Suleiman and his girlfriend Manal Khader), because they live in separate cities, must meet near an Israeli checkpoint. The film is little more than a series of usually comic but occasionally poignant scenes in which Suleiman and others must confront any number of Israeli nemeses. Suleiman's second film, Divine Interventions, was screened in competition at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

Director: Elia Suleiman

Starring: Elia Suleiman, Manal Khader, Nayef Fahoum Daher, Jamel Daher, Amer Daher

Reviews

  • About the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it treats war as a cosmic joke and its participants as hapless but recognizably human clowns.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    19 January 2013

  • It is impossible not to marvel at Mr. Suleiman's knack for turning rage and hopelessness into burlesque.

    Dana Stevens - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • Guaranteed to infuriate anyone with strongly partisan opinions about the region. The film offers up simultaneous critiques of Palestinian and Israeli extremism, but the most radical thing about it is that it's often disquietingly funny.

    Manohla Dargis - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • A one-of-a-kind experience, a Molotov cocktail of a seriocomedy.

    Desson Thomson - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • Antic, puzzling and disturbing film.

    Ann Hornaday - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Non-American Film (Bedste ikke-amerikanske film)

    Bodil Awards (2004)

     
  • Competition

    Cannes Film Festival (2002)

  • Special Jury Prize

    Chicago International Film Festival (2002)

  • Elia Suleiman

    Cinemanila International Film Festival (2003)

  • Elia Suleiman

    European Film Awards (2002)