Local Angel

The angel of history: Where we perceive a chain of events, he sees a single catastrophe. New York-based filmmaker Udi Aloni returns to Jerusalem after the 2nd Intifada and 9/11 to enter into a dialogue with his mother Shulamith, a well-known politician and peace activist. They controversially discuss possible options between a one-state and a two-state solution. The film explicitly revolves around the dangerous political theology associated with Jerusalem. Aloni talks to Israeli and Palestinian friends about the many different ways in which the place is charged and used in Israeli politics, from national-religious to left-wing Zionists. He juxtaposes these conversations with texts by authors from the German-Jewish diaspora. The journey culminates in a meeting with PLO leader Arafat, during which Aloni asks for forgiveness. (Thomas Tode)

Introduction by PeterGrabher

Photo: Austrian Film Museum