On the border separating Israel and the West Bank, a widow earns her small income by tending her lemon tree grove. The Israeli Minister of Defense lives alongside the trees, which to him pose an unacceptable security risk. That's when good neighbours...Despite her seeming powerlessness, Salma refuses to remove the trees planted by her father half a century ago and she finds an unlikely ally in the minister's wife. A young lawyer takes on her case and fights it right to the Supreme Court.
Salma, the widow David to the Israeli army's Goliath, is played by Hiam Abbass, who we saw recently as a grieving mother in that wonderful film The Visitor.
Based on actual events, The Lemon Tree recevied wide critical acclaim as a sensitive, gentle look at the Israeli-Palestine conflict as felt by the people that live there.
"Like the fruit of the lemon tree, The Lemon Tree is an astringent film, but just as welcome to the palate, in the right context," wrote Andrew L Urban of Urban Cinefiles.
"After The Band;s Visit and Waltz With Bashir there’s no doubt that Israeli cinema is doing exceptionally well at the moment with films that intelligently and with humanism explore the main source of conflict in the region," said Margaret Pomeratz of ABC1's At the Movies.
"A beautiful example of how a film can explore grand themes in microcosm," said Jim Slotek of Jam! Movies.
The Lemon Tree screens this Friday 17th April at 7.30pm at Port Fairy Cinema in Bank Street. Memberships available at the door with free tea and coffee provided. Please note we have simplified our membership structure (don't worry, it's exactly the same prices and deal, just simpler to understand than the previous system - we hope!) From this month ALL members who don't have 6 or 12 month memberships purchase 3-month memberships at the door for $24/$20 concession with the option of paying HALF on first visit (i.e $12/$10 - the same as current visitor passes) and half on second visit, with the third film free. These are valid to use until Feb 2010. All current membership cards floating around will still be valid.
Click below to watch trailer:
