Rajeev Nair's reply to Ari Sandel

Dear Ari

Thanks for the mail and a pleasure to interact and build on the dialogue that has been initiated.
But just to put the record straight, the review wasn't based on our meeting. It was written much earlier than we had met, immediately after a press screening. And as you might have observed, I had asked you precisely the criticisms that I had raised about the film.
We had featured your interview during the film festival itself, and I thought that was a fair way to deal with reviews - giving the director to respond to criticism. Yes, we are aware of the positive vibes your film created in Dubai, and we had even carried a story on that. I will post a link of the interview we did and try to send you across a cutting of the film's reaction here, as it doesn't have a weblink.
Despite my negative tone, as I had admitted to you at the time of the interview, I thought the film's ultimate message was really important. As for attributing the ultimate solution to peace as "simplistic," frankly, that is the reality. Do you at any point in time really, really believe that the Palestinian issue could be easily resolved?
But I do admire your guts to make a film of this nature, foster a debate and kindle the hope that lasting peace is indeed possible.
I must also admit that I agree with you in the observation that yes, perhaps, non-Palestinians might be a bit too harsh in their evaluation of the film becuase at the end of the day, we are outsiders. I am Indian; so obviously my feelings for the cause are coloured by what I read and hear from Palestinians and other Arabs whom I work with and meet.
In fact, the film angered quite a number of the journalists who attended the screening that day, which could have affected my views too. I would defintely revisit the film, and hope to discover a different persepctive.
Ari, I really liked to be proved wrong on this count because eventually it is not my review that matters - but a truly noble cause that you tried to uphold with your film. In that respect, shoving all my ego aside, I would like to say an apology for having been a bit too harsh with the film and you too. I know you are quite well-informed about the conflict.
I will anyway post your reply right at the end of the review so that any misunderstanding my review might have raised is immediately resolved in the minds of the readers.
I wish you all the best and greater courage to come out with hard-hitting films.

Please do check out the interview we had at:
http://www.diff2005reports.blogspot.com/

All the best

 

Warm regards

Rajeev Nair