A Famous Palestinian Actor

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Kevin Sites interviewed an actor in his high ranked Yahoo column, The Hot Zone:

“Ali Suliman is a Palestinian actor who played the part of Khaled in the recent film, “Paradise Now,” the only Palestinian film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award.

AS: It’s the first time someone looks at these people (suicide bombers) like human beings — that there’s courage needed to do it. The message is, there is a human being under this wall, they scream about being able to do what they need to do to have life.

KS:
How do you think Jewish Israelis will react to the film?

AS:
A lot of people who didn’t see the film wrote things against it. But those who did see it like the actors and like the issues. It’s not about taking sides. It’s a story about two friends who decide to bomb themselves in Tel Aviv and there is a human story behind the issue. I think the reaction has really been positive (among the Israeli Jewish community).

KS:
Do you think the film in way glorifies the idea of suicide bombers?

AS:
I don’t think so. It’s not about taking sides. There are a lot of things it takes for people to make this step. The occupation shows how bad their lives are and why they choose to do it.

KS:
Has the success of the film changed you? Do your family and friends react to you differently?

AS:
It’s hasn’t changed my life. There are a lot of friends that liked it and a lot that didn’t like it. Every person has their own opinion, but it’s made people think. That’s the good thing.

KS:
Can this type of film advance the peace process, or simply highlight the divisions?

AS:
I think the story of these people everywhere in the media in the West is, they think the Palestinian people are born to kill, that they like to kill themselves, but it’s not like that. But everyone has the potential to be like this because of the bad situation in which they live.

KS:
What’s your feeling on the Academy Award Nomination? Will you go?

AS:
I didn’t expect it. But now we are nominated for the Oscar — it’s a huge expectation. We will definitely go.