Defining Jerusalem With the Video Turning Point - Movie Review Example

Defining Jerusalem with Video Turning Point Feedback on Jerusalem The video by Peter Jennings, Turning Point: Jerusalem Stories, creates a different angle to the conflicts in the Holy Land and what is currently occurring. The main focus of the video is to take viewers into a deeper understanding of Jerusalem and the lifestyles that are associated with this. Jennings continues to report by providing basic information about how individuals live in Jerusalem, what is expected in terms of religion and how Jerusalem has become a Holy Land for three major religions of the world while providing a combination of the ancient and modern world in one area. The focus of the film is specifically related to the history of Jerusalem, which provides a stronger understanding of what has happened in Jerusalem. Combining this with the religious affiliations and personal experiences that are a part of the land then offers a broader perspective about the Holy Land. The video gives the viewer brief and accurate information about the significance of Jerusalem to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The accuracy of the information is based on defining the basic attributes of the religion as well as the perspective that each has to Jerusalem as the Holy Land and what it stands for. More important, the video focuses on providing a detailed and accurate history that goes back 4,000 years to show the roots of each religion as well as how they have moved to Jerusalem as the Holy Land. By defining some of the history and giving an overview of the history, there is the ability to connect links to all three of the religions and how they have played a part in religious, political and social affiliations of the land. Even though there is accurate information on all of the religions, the feedback is limited to the time constraints of giving a documentary in a specific amount of time. Other perspectives of the religions, lifestyle practices and significant events where looked at in terms of a limited perspective or without the ability to understand other marginalized thoughts. If a viewer isn’t familiar with the religions, practices and traditions outside of the video, then the information may seem limited. Since the focus is on Jerusalem, the history is also limited to the space that Jennings is reporting about as well as the individual viewpoints that are connected to this land. However, there are not other stories or objectives given about Jerusalem and the way that it relates from the roots of conflict and religion outside of the basic report that Jennings provides. This doesn’t provide a complete balanced view with the three Abrahamic faiths, specifically because of time constraints and the inability to move more in depth with the information provided. Religion and Middle Eastern Politics The connection that is directly made with this video is based on the role of religion and politics in the Middle East. When tracing through the history of Jerusalem and looking at the information of the individuals in the video, there is a direct association with politics. The rulers, emphasis on a specific religion and the claims of Jerusalem being the Holy Land are all directly linked to the rulers in different time frames. The interviews all directly link to the political powers of the time and how this formed the Holy Land as well as the shaping of religion and politics within the region. More important, there is a belief in all three religions that the beliefs of the political leaders impacted the shaping of Jerusalem, Israel and of the rest of the world. The ideas presented then show that there is a direct link between religion and politics, specifically when looking at individuals who intertwine the two arenas with their lifestyle. While the video mentions that there is a direct link to religion and Middle Eastern politics by providing specific types of information, there is also a lack of depth. This is a conclusion that an individual can reach by other information which is related to the video and concepts that are directly associated with the understanding of Jerusalem as a Holy Land. When one knows about the Middle East, there is a direct association that church and politics are not separate. Even though there is mention of this in the film, the basic understanding that is in the mainstream of American understanding is that neither is separate. The video furthers this with the stories of history, religion and politics that intertwine; however, this could easily be looked over and doesn’t have a direct association with the main points of the video. Palestinian Israeli Conflict The video produced with Jennings and other forms of media provide a broad outlook of the Palestinian Israeli conflict. Without the media, there would be a complete disconnection between the Middle East and American politics. By the media mentioning what is happening and working toward in – depth reports, there is the ability to gain an understanding of how people live as well as where the root causes of the conflict come from. Without this, there wouldn’t be the ability to gain insight or understanding into what is occurring within politics. Making sure that there is a deeper understanding with the role of the American media is able to change how most look at the Middle East. More important, the media is responsible for giving the updated news and the basic changes which are occurring. Having a documentary and supplements that support this than provide a deeper understanding of what is occurring in Israel and how this continues to shape the nation. The different content of the Jerusalem Stories defines the conflict in a way that most wouldn’t consider. Tracing the history of Jerusalem back by 4000 years is the first component that shows how embedded the conflict is as well as how it naturally affects the modern and current lifestyles in the Holy Land. The stories are furthered by understanding how the religions and the claim on the Holy Land is one that has personal roots and is linked directly to family history, cultural beliefs and relationships to the Holy Land. When looking at this media piece, one is able to gain a deeper understanding while making a personal connection with the land of Jerusalem and the way that it has shaped the nation both through politics and as the announcement of it being a Holy Land to three religions. Without the information provided through the media, there wouldn’t be distinguished understandings of what was occurring, why it was important and the impact that it has carried through different nations. If one just sees the up to date news, there would also be some gaps of understanding in the conflict and how it can be traced back to the strong beliefs and traditions that regard Jerusalem as the Holy Land. Biases in Jerusalem Stories There are no biases that are presented in Jerusalem Stories and the way the information is given to the audience. The first reason why it is seen as neutral is because of the basis of historical information that is given to the viewer. The focus is on providing factual information that is traced back 4000 years and which offers a strong understanding of the history of the area. The news component continues with looking at different stories and the way that these intertwine with the stories. Since the information is based on a combination of historical facts and relevant concepts associated with interviews from different religions, there is no bias that comes from the news reporters and the way that the information is presented. The formatting and the way in which the information is presented furthers this with neutral questions and information given about each religion, specifically which relates to history. Even though there is no bias from the video and the news reporter, the interviewees often have specific opinions and associations with the Holy Land that one may respond to with a sense of bias. If one has a specific association with Jews, Muslims or Christians, then they may respond with a personal bias toward the video. For instance, if one is a strong Christian, then they may believe that the representation of Christians in the Holy Land has a special association and is looked at in a particular way. While the information and questions with each of the interviews is equal and not biased, the personal associations and connections may create an alternative feeling or belief. From another viewpoint, if one is looking at the Jewish history and the association with finding the remnants of ancient homes, then there may be a stronger bias or association toward the particular story. While the information presented is only factual, the viewer may misrepresent the information, history and the connection to the Holy Land which is created through the video. With the report given, it can be seen that there is an understanding that bias would be a component of the religious groups and beliefs in the Holy Land. Instead of the news reporters taking a perspective based strictly on religious beliefs, there is a focus on history, politics and the associations with Jerusalem that move outside of religion. By doing this, there is the ability to stop biases and responses from individuals while creating a newsworthy component to the documentary. More important, this allows one to make their own judgments about the Holy Land and the associations with both modern and ancient times that are both historical and traditional. The beliefs that move beyond this are able to come from the individual relation to the film and the belief in the representations that are a part of the film. Recommending the Film I would recommend this film to others as a way to learn about Jerusalem and the fundamental viewpoints that link to the Holy Land. When most think of Jerusalem or the Holy Land, there is a misunderstanding and bias of what it means and how individuals live in this area. The conflicts, beliefs toward the Middle East and the contemporary thoughts about the foreign area have caused a lack of understanding toward Jerusalem and other areas. This video is able to point out individual cases, factual information and historical presentations that are related specifically to the Holy Land. When one watches this specific film, there is the ability to identify with the area in a different way while breaking down some of the barriers that are a part of Jerusalem. One may then draw interest in the political conflicts and the associations with the religion that continues today. One can use this as a foundational point to learn about a different area, how others believe and to understand lifestyles that are outside of the mainstream culture. This can also be combined with other in – depth perspectives about Jerusalem and what is occurring at the current time to gain a complete perspective over the Holy Land and the complexities that continue to shape the nation. Works Cited ABC News. Turning Point: Jerusalem Stories: The Ancient City and Modern Day. ABC, 1997. Read More