lynchian and conflicted

but in a good way. this film was as involving as it was absurd. each segment is brilliantly crafted and the use of repitition was masterful. i loved how the film used location as a character, starting off with very well framed shots of varying locations with varying characters, and only elaborating on their location and interactions through time, bridging the locations when necessary, or allowing them to stand alone as well. the use of everyday conflicts such as those between neighbors, etc. as representative of the larger conflict in the region between palestinians and israelis was brilliant. plus, stepping back and including E.S. own conflicts in developing a script idea adds another layer of conflict, but also a layer of moral didacticism. he is essentially "god" as a filmmaker, free to do or say as he pleases, but bound by moral constraints.

very engaging and wonderfully funny film.

"The great nations have always acted like gangsters and the small nations like prostitutes"-Kubrick