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Ajami (Movie) Dark Life in Jaffa

Ajami the movie is playing in Israeli theaters. [imdb] [film.com] [FaceBook page] It is a collection of stories from the Ajami neighborhood in Jaffa. Jaffa being part of Tel Aviv officially (managed by the city) is an Arab city with a life all it's own just minutes away from central Tel Aviv. The stories depict a few young men and how their lives intertwines with each other and the outside world. The characters sneak into Israel from the Palestinian territories, get involved in drugs, find disapproval of parents in a Muslim and Christian love affair and overall struggle for a better life. While the plot was dark, and the acting iffy, the look into a life of Arab Israeli life was fascinating.

The movie is getting mixed reviews in Israel. The topic and presentation of an Arab language movie in the mainstream Israeli society is as oddity by itself. Arab and Jewish life, even here in Tel Aviv is separate in most respects. The interaction of the young heroes is just with Israeli police and a mention of a worker from the Palestinian territories losing a job with no place to stay at night (he worked for an Israeli boss.) For most Israelis the topic is hard to digest. We seem to be tired of stories about how difficult life is for Muslims in Israel. Ajami focused just on the dark side of life, which may have been intentional. Nobodies can deny the difficulty in a life we rarely see, while fictional, it probably does represent the life for some young Arabs in Jaffa. The scenes of an unofficial Arab court and the conversations among the young men looking for help from the big family head, Italian mafia style and even the get together of friends criticizing one for leaving Jaffa to live with a Jewish girlfriend, are a peek at a life seldom seen. There is pride mixed with the fear. There is love and passion hidden from family and the public. There is friendship and acceptance of life, yet fighting for respect and the right to stand up for justice.

I have one bit of opinion about the movie itself and it's showing in Israel. If anyone had any doubt about freedom of speech to Arabs (Muslims or Christians) in Israel this movie's screening should dispel any criticism. I would even go as far as challenge other countries in giving their minorities such access to movie production and movie screens. I do not like the subject matter and I think that by focusing on one dark subject an opportunity to develop character and plot was missed. But as with any creative work, this should be left to the creators. I am proud of the ability of Israeli society in giving freedom of expression to the Arab minority. I am even more proud of people's access to this kind of movie in their local movie theaters.

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