5 Broken Cameras - A Review

The power of a camera in the hand of a common man is immense.

‘5 Broken Cameras’ is the story of Israel/Palestine conflict seen from the lens of a common man. Emad Burnat and his 5 cameras succeed in documenting the reality of the Palestinian struggle fought at the lowest level. Each of Emad’s cameras becomes a symbol of the different phases of Emad, his family and his village’s life for a period of 5 years. The destruction of each tells the viewers the violence and injustice that the Palestinians face and the Israelis inflict.

 The small village of Bil’in and its struggle to keep hold of its land becomes a representative of the larger Palestinian struggle. Emad’s first-hand account humanizes an issue that many across the world might not understand.  It puts forward the view of the people who were directly affected by Israel’s wrongdoings. The camera work makes it clear that this is the story of someone who was deeply involved in the protests. 

The documentary when seen in juxtaposition to the media coverage of the same issue paints a very disturbing picture The distortion of truth by world media is a truth that ‘5 Broken Cameras’ leave us with. It also raises important questions on the role of media and how they also succumb to power struggles. War and revolution require media coverage that tells both sides of the story. Journalists by their own ethical code are bound to try their best to do the same. However, it is documentaries like ‘5 Broken Cameras’ that reveal the holes in this theory.

One important question that is raised from the documentary is the responsibility of the journalist. Are they liable only to cover the stories? Are they also not responsible like everyone else to help a person in need? Similar questions can also be asked from the media industry at large. Is the story more important human lives? Leaving us with such questions ‘5 Broken Cameras’ is an excellent documentation of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The War You Don’t See – A Review

                                                                                

Delving into the role of media and journalists, the documentary is an excellent record of where they have failed to do their job and why. Taking into account, the Iraq and Afghanistan war and the Israel/ Palestine conflict, John Pilger explores how the flow of information functions during the war. Bringing to light, the side of these wars which remain unseen, he attempts to raise some vital questions.

Though the documentary itself deals with only 3 specific wars, it raises questions relevant for journalists across the globe. The one sided flow of information from authorities to news rooms and journalists becomes one of the main issues discussed. How do journalists counter this? How can they reveal the other side without endangering themselves - are the questions we are left asking.

With inputs from people who have seen and known the reality of these wars, the documentary provides substantial backing to the claims it makes. It questions ‘embedding’ of journalists in war zones and what effect this has on their covering. It works towards making its viewers acknowledge that media is not always the bearer of the truth. The documentary is both a critique of media houses and personnel who fall prey to or willingly propagate incomplete information, as well as an encouragement to journalist to lead by example.

He places the role of media during war times under scrutiny. During his interviews, he tries to gather why war time journalism falls short of expectations. Despite the state pressure, the documentary doesn’t absolve those who failed. The stark reality of wars and what the people were shown stands proof of erroneous journalism. The documentary works as an eye opener for the audience and pushes them into being critical of the news they receive and not take it at face value. While it brings to focus, the tremendous loss of life and property because of these baseless wars, the main theme remains the role of media during such trying times.

It was a Dream

It was a dream I hoped

The dark corners and the hard earth

The pain that lashed across my body

And the stain that grew without consent

Red became my nightmare

My screams died soon

It drained away with the rain

Leaving just a smear

Walk, I told myself

You will be safe soon

Don’t worry about the eyes

They can only stare

Hands remained by their sides

None were raised to help

Run, I told myself

Shelter is not too far away

Hidden under the blankets

Ears strained for any sounds

Twitching and moaning

I made it through that night

Another morning dawned

Shadows of nightmares remained

It all came crashing back

All that seemed a dream

A struggle to stand up

Another to standup tall

Be strong, I told myself

Atleast you are alive

You are sane and you are strong

And you can fight

I screamed last night

I will shout today

If I was scared yesterday

Fury has replaced it now

I will show the bruises

The map of black and blue

In the depth of these marks

I will show them the proof

You thought I will hide

But I stand tall right here.

There are many scars still

I have given them new meaning

I still fight everyday

To rebuild what you broke

You are free no more

But you curbed my freedom too

Days are darker at times

They are looking better now

I am learning again

To trust and smile

I promise I will

I promise I will

I see my body differently

With respect and love

It has felt so much

And still it is so strong

I refuse to give you the power,

The power to destroy me

It is mine as it always was

And I choose to raise it.

PLEASURE

A soft caress, lingering lips and wandering hands.

Its night again, back with its shadows and memories.

Slippery fingers that trailed a blazing path,

followed by wet kisses and whispered words.

I feel it now as I had then; a touch is all it takes.

Goosebumps on my skin and a pulse that is racing;

the silence broken by a gasp that betrays words.

The air is heavy and the sounds dampened.

Sweat gathered in the dip of my back,

the hollow of my throat; rising temperature

and the hard grip on my thighs.

A story unfolds here in the curve of my waist

and the messed up sheets of the bed.

Written with the entwined hands, entangled legs.

Arms that embrace sturdy shoulders,

gripping hard to pull closer, till no space remains.

A moment to memorize your eyes, your lips, your face.

A moment of simple ecstasy, of breathing together,

and of existing as one.

Explore

Believe me when I say that there are better things to do in life

than waiting for your prince charming.

There are books to read and new worlds to explore.

There are fictional characters to love and adore.

There is an artist in you begging to be released.

Maybe you can learn to dance or ever sing.

Sometimes the dreams we dream

can be changed into reality.

You just have to try once to realize,

that even the sky is within the limits.

Some try to write, stories or poetry even random lines.

I try to read them out loud.

If you want to travel, the world is huge.

You should start from somewhere soon.

I have more things to list,

but I see no fun in that.

Why don’t you go ahead and search

You might find the best of it yet.