Watch The Time That Remains

The Time That Remains is a deeply emotional and powerful film that offers a unique and personal look into the lives of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Directed by Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman, the film is a semi-autobiographical account of his family's experiences during the period from 1948 to the present day, which saw the establishment of the state of Israel.

The film is structured as a series of vignettes, each one focusing on a different period of time and a different member of the director's family. We see his father, Fuad (played by Saleh Bakri), fighting for Palestinian freedom during the early days of Israeli occupation, and later retreating into bitter disillusionment when he realizes the odds are stacked against him. We follow his mother, Fadwa (played by Samar Qudha Tanus), as she struggles to keep her family together and provide for her children in the face of poverty, discrimination, and violence. And we see the young Elia (played by Zuhair Abu Hanna) growing up in a world of conflicting identities, trying to balance his Palestinian heritage with his Israeli citizenship.

Despite the weighty subject matter, The Time That Remains is humorously and often poetically observed, with Suleiman's characteristically deadpan humor serving as a coping mechanism in the face of such overwhelming hostility. The film's climactic scenes, which draw on the director's own experiences of police brutality, are both shocking and heartbreaking, and serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by Palestinians today.

Throughout the film, Suleiman uses a combination of history, autobiography, and fantasy to explore the complex layers of identity and belonging that define his family's story. We see the way in which the occupation has forced Palestinians to live in an ever-shrinking world, where their every movement is scrutinized and their future is uncertain. We see the way in which daily life is punctuated by checkpoints, curfews, and random acts of violence, and the toll this takes on individuals and families.

Despite the bleakness of the situation, however, Suleiman's film is ultimately one of hope and resilience. Throughout the film, we see moments of connection and solidarity between Palestinians and Israelis who refuse to let hatred and fear define their relationships. And we see the way in which love, family, and cultural heritage can provide a source of strength and inspiration, even in the darkest of times.

The performances in The Time That Remains are uniformly excellent, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their roles. Menashe Noy, in particular, is outstanding as a sympathetic Israeli soldier who tries to help Elia's family, even as he struggles with his own conflicted loyalties. Elia Suleiman himself, in the rare moments where he appears on screen, is a magnetic presence, exuding a quiet intensity that lends the film a sense of urgency and immediacy.

The Time That Remains is a powerful and poignant film that offers a valuable insight into the experiences of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. It is a film about the struggle to maintain one's identity and humanity in the face of oppression, about the resilience of the human spirit, and about the importance of hope and connection in an increasingly divided world. With its mix of history, humor, and heart, it is a film that will stay with you long after the final credits roll.

The Time That Remains is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 74.