Watch Chronicle of a Disappearance

Chronicle of a Disappearance is a 1996 Palestinian film directed and co-written by Elia Suleiman, who also stars in the film. The movie, set in Jerusalem, gives viewers a glimpse into the daily life of Palestinians living in the city during the early 1990s. The film is a series of vignettes, each capturing a different aspect of Palestinian life in Jerusalem. The vignettes are often unconnected, but as the movie progresses, a theme becomes clear - the sense of dislocation and displacement felt by the Palestinian community.

The movie begins with Suleiman traveling to Jerusalem from his home in New York, where he works as a filmmaker. Suleiman's return to the homeland he left as a young man sets the tone for the rest of the film. Scenes of Suleiman with his family, including his parents and his aunt, show the contrast between his postmodern life in New York and the more traditional life led by Palestinians in Jerusalem.

The film's second segment focuses on the daily routines of Jerusalem's residents. One scene shows a man and his son selling eggs from a cart on a dusty street corner. Another scene takes place in a hospital ward, where patients wait impatiently for their turn with the overworked doctors.

As the movie progresses, we see the tension between Palestinians and Israelis. One segment shows a group of Israeli soldiers patrolling through a Palestinian neighborhood, while another shows Suleiman at a checkpoint surrounded by armed guards. Throughout the film, there is a sense of simmering tension that could boil over at any moment.

One of the most striking aspects of the movie is its quietness. Often, much is left unsaid, and the camera lingers on long, static shots of the city. For example, in one scene, the camera focuses on a small garden, where a couple is having a tense discussion. In the distance, we can hear children playing, but the camera remains fixed on the couple, creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease.

The cinematography in Chronicle of a Disappearance is breathtaking, with long, wide shots of the city's streets and alleys, along with intimate close-ups of the film's characters. The use of sound is also masterful, with subtle background noise creating an immersive, almost dreamlike quality.

One of the most poignant scenes in the movie takes place at a wedding. The wedding is a joyous occasion, but throughout the scene, the camera focuses on the faces of the guests, many of whom are elderly and have lived through decades of conflict. Their expressions are a mixture of joy and sadness, and it's clear that this is a community that has seen much hardship.

Chronicle of a Disappearance is a unique movie that gives viewers a window into a world that is often closed off from outsiders. Suleiman's direction is subtle, allowing the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the characters' lives and experiences. The film's themes of dislocation, displacement, and loss are universal, and the movie is sure to resonate with viewers long after the credits have rolled.