Response Paper #3 - Paradise Now

Choose one topic from each category

General Topics: (1) In what ways did you find the film moving, or perhaps, disturbing? (2) Do you believe the film represented the lives of two Palestinians and the phenomenon of suicide bombing in an unbiased fashion? (3) Did the filmmaker do a good job of presenting a believable or authentic story? Why or why not?

Specific Topics: (1) What was it about the suicide mission, as horrible as it was, that appealed to the two young men?  (2) What was the role of “friendship” in the story? (3) Describe the filmmaker’s use of cinematography in highlighting the differences between present Palestinian and Israeli culture, and relate it to the overall plot of the story.  (4) What was the relationship between the two friends and the man/men who recruited them for their mission? (5) Explain the role of religion in this story.  (6) Suha tries to convince Khaled that there are other ways than violence to fight the Israeli ‘occupation.’  This is the writer’s opinion, obviously.  Does Paradise Now, a film, represent “another way”?

Compare the phenomenon of religious violence in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.  Be sure to address the logic of terror as evidenced by trends in the various case s (i.e., “terrorism as theater”; “cosmic war”; “demonization and martyrdom/sacrifice”; “empowering the warrior”).  Should we treat or view Islam differently from other religions in this regard?  Why or why not?  Give evidence to support your answer.

***Format requisites:

Tone: Formal with clear thesis

Length: 2 – 2 ½ double-spaced pages

Font: Times New Roman or Garamond Font