(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
"I wanted to turn around the established," says Kholoud Al-Faqih in Erika Cohn's documentary The Judge, which NRK has given the title Sharia judge and feminist. She also has that. The lawyer from the West Bank in Palestine is the first (along with his colleague and girlfriend Asmahan) the female judge in a Sharia court in the Middle East.
In the film, Al-Faqih says that there have been female judges in criminal courts in Palestine since the seventies. However, this does not apply to sharia courts, which deal with all family matters, such as divorces, child support disputes and the like. In other words, issues that are often about women.
Structural resistance. Furthermore, we are told that there has been disagreement within Islamic law on how to interpret the religious texts when it comes to the question of female judges. In Palestine one follows the direction called hanafi, where this is allowed. But that does not mean that everyone in the Arab country agrees that women should hold such positions. In this Palestinian society, the tradition is often given more weight than actual legal texts, and the documentary contains both people on the street and in central positions of power who oppose non-male judges. Among the latter is the deeply conservative Dr. Husam Al-Deen Afanah, who justifies women's unfitness in such a way with biological conditions. In the last part of the film we will even see that the protagonist encounters structural resistance to exercising his judiciary.
The Judge is a portrait documentary about Kholoud Al-Faqih, which is a strong-willed, reflected and well-formulated main character with a clear feminist agenda. The well-produced film contains several conventional interviews, but also a number of observant scenes from, among others, the court, which testifies that all of the aforementioned qualities – including the feminist attitude – also help her do an excellent job in office.
muhi is a moving documentary about a charming boy in legal limbo – full of joy of life despite his physical challenges.
Women's challenges. In addition, the film provides an insight into aspects of Palestinian society that many – including the undersigned – do not have in-depth knowledge of. A lot thanks to its charismatic and strong main character is The Judge an uplifting film, with a message that changes of the Al-Faqih type have been desired, are possible. But it is also a film that highlights many of the challenges one – and especially women – face in her country. Much of Al-Faqih's legislation manages, favors men, such as that sexual intercourse without consent is not punishable if it takes place within the marriage, and the film also touches on the widespread practice that men can marry more women.
The Judge does not significantly address Palestine's relationship with the state of Israel, but it is nevertheless interesting that it is directed by a Jewish-American filmmaker.
Limbo condition in hospital. Another portrait documentary that will also be shown at Arab Film Days this month, deals more directly with the mildly inflamed relationship between Palestine and Israel and the people there.
Muhi – Generally Temporary tells the story of the young Palestinian boy Muhammad, who is called Muhi. As a newborn, he was sent from Gaza across the border to Israel to receive emergency treatment for a life-threatening disease. The doctors at the Israeli hospital managed to save his life, but had to amputate the outer joints of both his arms and legs. In the years the film follows him – from the age of four until after the age of seven – he is constantly dependent on medical follow-up he will not be able to get in Gaza. The strict security rules for crossing borders have meant that neither the little boy nor his grandfather Abu Naim – who accompanied him to the operation – has been able to return to his home country, and that his mother is only exceptionally allowed to come and visit Muhi at the hospital.
This is a moving documentary about a very charming boy who, despite his physical challenges – both with and without prostheses – is full of zest for life and joy of life. And who has ended up in a legal limbo state he is partly happily unaware of, and partly understands surprisingly well.
The Judge an uplifting film with a message that change is possible.
Israeli supporter. Not least, it is touching to witness the loving relationship between Muhi and his grandfather, who during these years dedicates all his time to his grandson – and who without Israeli citizenship can hardly leave the hospital. In addition, the film depicts the close friendship between him and Buma Inbar - an Israeli peace activist who himself has lost a son in the war between Hezbollah and Israel – who appears to be an invaluable and tireless support for both Muhi and his grandfather.
The film is directed by Israeli Rina Castelnuovo-Hollander and American Tamir Elterman, the latter also living in Israel. They have a more consistent observational approach than Erika Cohn, but similarly The Judge This portrait film also provides thought-provoking insights into social issues – in this case related to the challenging coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians.
Yesh Tikvah. Muhi – or Muhammad, as he eventually prefers to be called, rather than the more Israeli abbreviation – is obviously in a very special life situation, which has led to him acquiring both a Jewish and an Arab identity. In this story, however, there is also hope for positive change. Perhaps this is most clearly illustrated when Abu Naim, in conversation with his son-in-law in Gaza, turns to Hebrew to pronounce the words "yesh tikvah" – "there is hope".
Both films will be shown at Arab Film Days in Oslo 19–22. April.
The Judge is also available in NRK's online player.
