Paradise Now

Said and Khaled are Muslims who are trapped in a state of injustice and oppression and they see a suicide mission as their only chance of escape and retaliation, and as an opportunity to earn their place in heaven. Both were very well rounded characters and through the course of the film their views and goals swapped.

I am, of course, quite unfamiliar with the culture and background of the characters so it is hard to empathise entirely and it seems, judging by the representation in the film, that suicide-bombers are generally people who can be easily manipulated; neither characters needed much persuasion but both changed their minds judging by what others said. In this way we could see their vulnerability and how those who took advantage of it (i.e. Jamed) could easily lead them onto the wrong path.

However, I believe they were honestly and realistically portrayed, with emotional depth and personal journeys. When we think of a 'terrorist' it is so easy to distance ourselves and form a caricature of what that is. This film broke straight through the misrepresentation of Western media and provided us with people with stories behind the faces and a state of mind which is in some way relatable.