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Amoz Oz: The Nature Of Dreams (Film)
Rating: G
Running Time: 86
Country: Israel
Director: Masha Zur Glozman, Yonathan Zur
Cast: Paul Auster, Amos Oz, Salman Rushdie
Distributor: Sharmill
Release Date: April 28, 2010
Film Worth: $10.00
FILMINK rates movies out of $20 - the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worthThis made-for-TV documentary will prove riveting for some, but others may find it too much of a lecture
Israel's celebrated author Amos Oz is an inspirational figure. Erudite and outspoken, perhaps his greatest quality is the ability to express his practical thoughts in a way that is poetic, visual and precise. The now seventy-year-old gives filmmakers Masha Zur Glozman and Yonathan Zur access all areas in this made-for-TV documentary that will be of particular appeal to viewers with an interest in the state of contemporary Israel and Zionism, whichever side of the fence you sit on.
The filmmakers capture Oz in his studio, where he candidly discusses his parents, childhood and burgeoning awakening to writing and his beliefs. They also lay down readings by the author from his memoirs to juxtapose archival footage. We follow Oz as he travels the world, conducting lecture tours in places such as Germany, and even attending a literary party where he bumps into fellow celebrated scribes Salman Rushdie and Paul Auster, and Israeli President Shimon Peres. Oz' interaction with the latter proves revealing, with the author not shy of advising Peres on a way to respond to inflammatory anti-Semitic comments made by Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Peres is highly respectful, but doesn't exactly follow Oz' advice, illustrating the complicated politics at play in contemporary Israel.
Amos Oz is against occupation, and vehemently believes in a two state solution, allowing Palestine to have a country of their own. He thinks that the idyll of Israel has been ruined, and he has a pretty good theory on why that is. The majority of the film explores Oz' thought-out beliefs, and for some this will prove riveting. For others, it will quickly grow tiring, akin to watching a lecture. The filmmakers try to open things up, but in the end, despite the author's thoughtful and beautiful words, this is a film that you can wait to catch on SBS in the not too distant future.
