Hot House

2006
Directed by Shimon Dotan

I went to see this film because it offered what I thought would be a unique perspective on a conflict that has stretched decades and ignited passions throughout the world - the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Call it a war, call it a conflict, call it an occupation, whatever you call it I’m sure you will agree that both sides know their side is right and more often than not, they won’t give an inch in the other’s direction. We usually see this conflict from one source - the media; whether it be newspaper or newscast and not from the people who are at the “frontlines” so to speak - those incarcerated in Israeli jails. But Shimon Dotan, does just that. In the film Palestinian “freedom fighters” are interviewed and we get to see conditions and social structure inside the jails itself. It could be said that the jails are a microcosm of the world outside. There are various cell blocks that prisoners share and each cell blocks occupants are either members of Fatah, Hamas or PLO. And if prison is supposed to be a demoralizing factor, these inmates certainly don’t show it. In fact many consider going to prison to be an education in itself. While there they learn from other men who where also part of crimes against Israel. They read the news extensively and learn more about the opposite side and world opinion than they would have on the outside. When they get out (if they get out, many interviewed had consecutive life sentences (one was 16)) they will almost surely be politically active again.
In fact, you could say they are politically active while in jail. There are free elections within the jail and even between jails.
The filmmaker, even though he is Israeli, doesn’t appear to take any side. Though I think it is perhaps equally hard to pick a side as a viewer. Many of the people we see don’t seem to be your typical “killers” but this is what they are charged with. Many are men with families and they are religious. Then there is also the side that says these people are murderers and would do so again in an instant to liberate their people.
Do they regret what they did? Not one interviewed did nor did they regret having contributed to the deaths of innocent civilians. But to many people these people are martyrs to the cause. I only hope that someday both sides can see that violence is not the answer to their trouble. As an old saying goes - an eye for an eye will leave everyone blind.
2 ½ stars