Review by Thomas Brown

The short:

This movie made up of a series of semi-connected interviews, small sketches, and film clips, shows the journey of the self-portrayed Elia Suleiman and his journey back to the West Bank and Israel. With no distinct plot line, Chronicle of a Disappearance instead focuses on the experiential, exploring the opinions and feelings of the Arab people as they reconcile their national identity within the Israeli sphere of influence.

The long:

While no single plot runs throughout the film, the many sketches and interviews it contains form a broad view of Arab life in Israel and the West Bank. In some cases, this is shown through b-real-style footage of daily life; extended shots of cars driving along roads, people walking in the street, and crowds of tourists and locals intermixing. Other times it’s shown through small clips of dialogue, either as group discussions or interview style, inter-spliced with surreal, almost 4th wall-breaking shots of filmmaker Elia Suleiman (E.S.) that will redirect the audience’s attention to another social commentary. This experimental format should not, however, lead you to believe the movie does not contain a main message or takeaway. Instead, the fractured makeup of the film – sometimes hilarious, sometimes frustrating and upsetting – itself speaks to the experience of Arabs living along the West Bank. It creates a feeling of community connection, conflict, and disruption: realities of life for those who lived around E.S.

To watch or not to watch:

It’s a style of movie that might not resonate with everyone, but to those who enjoy more experimental films or who want to understand the lived experience of Arabs living in and around Israel, this is a must-watch. One minute you’ll be laughing, the next you will be puzzled, the next you will be moved, but all the while you’ll be having an intriguing experience.