Analysis of Tinghir Jerusalem Film - Essay Example

Tinghir Jerusalem Driven by a curiosity for his identity, Kamal Hachkar, the filmmaker, goes to Tinghir to search for his roots. In the process, he learns that some Jews were living there before but had migrated due to hostilities with the Zionists. Kamal however is a Berber Muslim and they too had migrated alongside the Jews to Israel. Kamal grew up in France but had been visiting Tinghir frequently together with his family. Therefore, his first journey is to Israel in search of some remnants of the Jews who had migrated from Tinghir.

Kamal’s curiosity as he asks his grandfather questions about the past such as when he asks about the synagogues’ position. The synagogue is no more but the Kamal’s grandfather seems to vividly remember that it once stood at the position. As Kamal speaks with some people, the mixing of Arab, French, and Berber languages is evidence enough of their ties to Tinghir.

As the film advances, Kamal meets some Jews who still hold tight to their Moroccan identity. This is a great step towards finding out the real events that triggered the Jew migration from Tinghir. The film is based on a true story that shows the collaboration between Jews and Muslims that fell apart after the Jews moved to Israel. Although the Jews did not have it all, the coexistence was still a great one. As Kamal speaks to both sides, Jews and Muslims, they seem to cherish and desire a reunion of the great coexistence that they once had.

Kamal tries to discover what happened with the aim that the two once-friendly communities will one day reunite. The film has an interesting and captivating storyline that gives the viewers a desire to watch more as the events unfold. The film has an important lesson and can be used to stop the raging conflicts that are recurrent in today’s world. From time to time, the Israelites conflict with the Arab nations and as a result, a great hostility has escalated. How could the once peaceful coexistence turn into raging conflicts and everyday war?

What went wrong? What can be done? These are among the many questions on people’s minds as they try to bring to an end the seemingly unending conflict. This film can be used as a starting point to remind the two conflicting sides of the enviable cooperation that once was. In addition, the Muslims were not the reason for the Jew migration. The conflicts between the Jews and the Arabs sprouted much later after the creation of the Israel state. As Kamal converses with the people over some family photos, it can be heard from their voices and emotions expressed that some miss a peaceful coexistence especially those who still hold dearly to the Moroccan culture.

Even the Muslims that Kamal talks to seem to miss the peaceful coexistence. Although there was violence at the time, at the end of the day a peaceful coexistence took over. The film brings in a new point of view to the conflict that is now recurrent and rekindles hope that maybe one day there will be a peaceful coexistence between Israel and the Arab nations. During external conflicts, the Jews and the Muslims could fight side by side against their common enemy. Even today, though few, the Jews in Morocco are still highly respected and live in harmony just like other citizens.

In addition, Jewish tourists in Morocco seem to have a special place in the hearts of the Morocco citizens. Due to the level of detail in the film, it can be used to tell the history of Morocco and to trace the roots of the Berber Muslims and Berber Jews.