The Lemon Tree

While we were hovering around the airspace of Palestinian-inspired films, I thought I'd talk to you a little about 'The Lemon Tree' (2008) which I have also viewed. The Lemon Tree is a really touching films dudes and dudettes. May I add here that I am an ethnic film fanatic? I absolutely adore them and this film lives up to my expectations. Romantic and heart-warming the Lemon Tree tells the tale of a Palestinian widow whose lemon grove is threatened when an Israeli Minister builds a house behind her own  in the suburbs. Starring the outstanding Hiam Abbass and equally ravishing Ali Suliman, both of Palestinian origin and directed by critically acclaimed Israeli director Eran Riklis, The Lemon Tree gives us a glimpse of what happens when a widow begins to rekindle feelings of being a woman as she and co star Suliman develop romantic feelings for eachother when she appoints him as her lawyer in her case against the Israeli defence minister. The acting is amazing and when the Abbass and Suliman begin to fall for eachother it takes you back to the innocence of romance which is very rarely portrayed in today's mainstream cinema, as most of it is based on western society.

Here however, we also witness the experience of a Palestinian living within Israeli territory as an Israeli citizen and the difficulties that Arab Israeli's face today. This film is not in any way biassed as we are quite often allowed to witness the feelings and actions of the defence minister's wife, touchingly portrayed by Rona Lipaz-Michael who forms a bond with the Abbass' character. Using Arabic, Hebrew and English Riklis delivers an inspiring tale and this film is worth every minute sent watching it. Enjoy it guys!









Next-up: The Syrian Bride