Mayor

Mayor is a captivating 2020 documentary film that shines a spotlight on the compelling, challenging, and sometimes surreal world of politics in the center of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Directed by American filmmaker David Osit, Mayor presents an intimate and in-depth portrait of an ordinary man tasked with an extraordinary responsibility.

The film centers around the life and responsibilities of the titular character, Musa Hadid, the affable and pragmatic mayor of Ramallah, the de facto administrative capital of Palestine. Despite the external political and geopolitical pressures, Hadid is a man deeply dedicated to the day-to-day duties of his position, approaching his work with humility, dedication, and a tinge of humor. His various duties include coordinating public works, running public relations campaigns, and managing everything from city's Christmas decorations to its bustling sewage system.

While the premise of local politics might not seem inherently dramatic or engaging, the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict provides a poignant undercurrent to the daily realities of Hadid’s civic duties. Throughout the film, Osit expertly juxtaposes the mundane aspects of city management with nerve-wracking scenes that lay bare the geopolitical tensions simmering beneath the surface.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is perhaps its exploration of the city of Ramallah itself. Ramallah has evolved as the socioeconomic and cultural hub of Palestine, but it is a city essentially landlocked and, in many ways, suffocated by the ongoing Israeli occupation. Regardless, it obstinately persists and Hadid's firm but nuanced leadership plays an indispensable role in this resistance.

Osit’s direction affords viewers an empathetic and humanizing look at local government against the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil. Mayor eschews a grand narrative or overtly political treatise, instead opting to focus on the profoundly human aspects of governance and daily life in an occupied territory. This strategy provides viewers with a fresh, nuanced perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that transcends typical binary representations frequently depicted in mainstream media.

The film also affords the audience brief glimpses of the lives and personalities of other key characters influencing Ramallah's prosperity and peace. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the State of Palestine and Palestinian National Authority, and Mohammad Ibrahim Shtayyeh, the Prime Minister, appear in the film and provide a broader perspective on the national political scene that Hadid must navigate. It's a compelling look at how local and national politics intersect in an environment fraught with external pressures.

Mayor is not confined to a strictly political narrative, however. It also provides perceptive and often touching insights into the daily lives of the Palestinian people. Amidst the seriousness of state politics and international disputes, the film doesn’t shy away from showcasing Ramallah's hopeful, vibrant, and sometimes bittersweet moments.

Equally noteworthy is the production quality of Mayor. Cinematographer Derek Wiesehahn's cleverly composed visuals beautifully capture both the grandeur and the grit of the city, juxtaposing the ordinariness of daily life against stark reminders of the occupation. Relying heavily on observational storytelling rather than conventional narrative techniques, Osit presents a visually rich and deeply engrossing narrative which is as compelling as it is informative.

What sets Mayor apart is its profoundly human perspective. It escapes the often narrow, polarizing narratives about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by looking at life on the ground and in the corridors of power from a heartfelt, humanistic viewpoint. Mayor is a powerful film, not just for followers of Middle Eastern politics but also for viewers interested in an intimate, thought-provoking exploration of the human side of politics. In this film, Musa Hadid emerges not only as the mayor of a city under siege but also as a symbol of resistance and relentless optimism in Ramallah and, by extension, in Palestine.