The Color of Olives

The Color of Olives is a thought-provoking 2006 cinematic documentary film directed by Carolina Rivas and produced by Daoud Sarhandi. The film stars everyday people from Palestine like Asia Amer, Hani Amer, and Hisham Amer, who live their daily life amidst the ongoing conflict and political tension. Shot in a highly contrasting tone of black and white, the film explores the lives of a simple Palestinian family living their day-to-day lives among the olive groves, surrealistically surround by the profound implications of the Israeli West Bank Wall.

The film primarily focuses on the Amer family, which consists of father Hani, mother Asia and their children - Hisham, Mohammed, Amal, and Ahmed. The Amers live in Masha, a small rural town in the West Bank, a location politically and geographically unique due to being enclosed on all sides by the Israeli Wall and a prison-like gate that is only opened three times a day. It superbly illustrates how the geopolitical scenario affects their life, but not their spirit and courage.

One of the unique aspects of the film is that it shies away from conventional narratives. Instead, it takes a deeply observational approach towards the life of the family, illustrating the harsh realities of their mundane routines. Every member of Amer family has a story to tell. Hani, the father, is an arborist who takes care of his olive trees with love and dedication. Asia, the mother, is the nurturing linchpin of the family, tending to her children and the house with unwavering resilience.

Hisham Amer, one of the children, like his siblings, must learn to navigate through the complexities of life amidst this challenging setting, something portrayed vividly in the film. Standard daily chores like attending school, a quick run to the market, become Herculean tasks happening under the looming shadow of walls and security protocols. There are profound moments shown in the film--children giggling in a classroom, a family sharing a meal, a teenager dreaming of a date--all happening amidst a landscape of sprawling barbed wires and foreboding checkpoints.

This film grapples with the profound complexities inherent in the geopolitics of the site by focusing on the simple yet powerful stories of the Amer family. The detailed exploration of those factors that may seem mundane in other contexts - planting trees, raising children, going to school - becomes an exercise in resilient and responsible living in the world of the Amer family.

The Color of Olives’ cinematography is a poignant accomplice to its story-telling, highlighting the stark realities of life against the imposing, indifferent infrastructure of conflict. Shadows, contrast, and the incongruity of life against the sharp grayscale tones enhance the film's symphony. The deliberate choice of black and white for shooting the film trendily juxtaposes the metaphor of simple family life against the chaos and complexities of geopolitics.

Among other significant elements worth noting is the film's relative lack of dialogue. Most of the story unfolds through observation and the actions of the family members, offering us a raw, unfiltered, and significantly potent look into their lives. The raw emotions, the unsaid words, the smiles, and the tears paint the canvas of their existence more eloquently than verbal exchanges could have.

The Color of Olives is gritty, it is intense, and it showcases the art of living resiliently amidst profoundly challenging circumstances while remaining simple, elegant and deeply human throughout. This documentary captures an important page of Middle Eastern history in all its raw unpredictability and human contradictions. The movie does not simply present an account of political conflict, but rather explores the multifaceted humanity of the people who live within it.

A film that portrays existence in its harshest and at the same time, beautiful form, the Color of Olives, is a moving tribute to the resilient spirit of ordinary people who navigate life and survival amidst extraordinary circumstances. This documentary film offers an unforgettable journey that resonates long after the screen fades to black, making it an emotional, empathetic and essential watch.

Rich in context and visually stunning despite the inherent simplicity of its premise, The Color of Olives serves as a haunting reminder of the often overlooked human side of political conflict and strife worldwide. Through the eyes of the Amer family, we get a glimpse of the human cost of political enmity and the resilient hope that blooms even amidst the darkest of days. It stands as a significant testament to human endurance in the face of adversity, and the inherent longing for peace and normalcy amidst conflict.