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March 27, 2009
Jerusalem: centre of the world
New film that delves into the 4,000-year turbulent history of Jerusalem will air on PBS.
SARA NEWHAM
It is the homeland of three major monotheistic religions and the centre of conflicts that never cease. But what makes ancient, beautiful Jerusalem so special and important to millions of people that they are willing to do anything to protect it? That is the question Emmy Award-winning producer/director Andrew Goldberg sought to answer in the film Jerusalem: Centre of the World.
"I decided to make it [the film] because I felt that all of the reporting about that part of the world was totally driven by the politics," said Goldberg. "While I think the politics are important, I think it's important that people understand what it is about this city, the back story of this city and why people care about it so much. Why are people willing to fight and live and die for it."
Goldberg takes a factual approach to his $1.2 million film, exploring the roots of Jerusalem's religious past, from Abraham's journey to the city through to the present day conflicts. The two-hour film, hosted by Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for PBS's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, provides a succinct explanation of why the city is so important to Jews, Christians and Muslims and why each group has sought to protect or spread its influence there.
"When we showed in the film, for example, the many, many centuries of Jewish relationships to that land and that space, when we show in the film also the many centuries of Christian relationships to the land and the centuries of Islamic, Muslim relationships to the land, it becomes difficult to argue that the other parties involved don't have a legitimate reason for wanting to be there," said Goldberg from New York about his 10th film.
What is unique about the film is that it does not seem to take any particular "side" to any of the many conflicts Jerusalem has endured and this speaks to the strength of the journalism. "When it came to making this film, I was a journalist and filmmaker first," said Goldberg, who is Jewish.
The film presents each religion's relationship to the land as a series of historical events and stories, supplemented with analyses from academics in the field and images of historical artifacts that help transport the viewer to Jerusalem.
While it is eye-opening in some respects, it is unlikely that the film will change the mind of anyone who holds strongly their convictions about the situation.
"The type of people who make up their minds and nothing can change them, we can't change their minds," he said. "But ... I think that facts and history and context are difficult things to argue with. Politicians are easy to argue with."
While the film does an excellent job of providing the 4,000-year history of Jerusalem, it was disappointing that it merely skimmed over the current conflict. In this way, it does little to help the mass audience gain a better understanding of the current problems. But that's not what Goldberg was trying to achieve.
"I think if we can take a step from [the literal interpretation of the Bible] and just see that what this really comes down to is the fact that millions of people care very deeply about this very small space and if you can just get a sense of how the others feel about this place and the others see the history of this place then maybe you'll be able to come to this conversation with a slightly different set of eyes and more of an open mind."
Goldberg likens the conflict in Israel to a couple in counselling, adding that as long as the finger pointing continues, the only remedy is divorce.
"The trouble with it in this case, the divorced couple lives in the same house and they can't move so that's why it becomes very toxic," he said, adding that none of the parties have brought the introspection, generosity, compassion or understanding that is necessary for getting along.
Perhaps the best – and most interesting aspects of the film – are the artifacts and historical sites shown. For example, the film shows Jesus' last footprint, the wall David likely faced while conquering the city, and the Dome of the Rock from where Mohammed ascended to Heaven. The imagery is breathtaking and takes the viewer on a tremendous journey into Jerusalem's past. It's a film worth seeing.
"For people who aren't from that part of the world, I think they'll be fascinated to learn how much war and fighting has gone over this place but I think the stories as to why people love that part of the world are equally fascinating. It is a place of conflict but it is also a place of tremendous passion and love and strong emotional feeling. It's a place [where] people believe they are closest to God," said Goldberg. "For the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam ... this is the only place where all three kind of converge with such intensity and it makes it such an incredible place. That doesn't exist anywhere else in the world."
Jerusalem airs in high definition on April 1 at 9 p.m. on PBS. For more information about the film or its production company, Two Cats Productions, go online at www.twocatstv.com.
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