A Tramway in Jerusalem

A Tramway in Jerusalem is a warm, introspective film directed by the celebrated French filmmaker, Amos Gitai. This 2018 movie stars Achinoam Nini, Mathieu Amalric, and Lamis Ammar. Gitai, who's fascinated by the complexities of his homeland, Israel, uses a tramway in Jerusalem as a simple yet profound symbol of the region's complex social fabric, thereby creating a thoughtful exploration of identity, human interaction, and coexistence.

At the heart of A Tramway in Jerusalem is a journey aboard a tram that whizzes along the city streets of Jerusalem. The film captures a microcosm of the diverse passenger mix - Jews, Christians, and Muslims, among others - each representing different facets of the mosaic that is contemporary Jerusalem. The tram becomes the intersection of various cultures, embodying Gitai’s testament to the everyday coexistence, mirrored in the city’s eclectic population.

Achinoam Nini, the internationally acclaimed Israeli singer and peace activist, plays herself in the film. This self-reflective role, coupled with her insightful singing, adds a layer of melodic richness, threading together anecdotes and perspectives from co-passengers. Mathieu Amalric, the acclaimed French actor, also brings a profound international perspective to this film. Lamis Ammar, a rising Palestinian actress, offers a compelling depiction of the challenges faced by her community.

A Tramway in Jerusalem is a series of encounters and dialogues. Instead of adopting a conventional narrative approach, the director opts for a series of vignettes to communicate the themes of the film. Each episode gives a glimpse into individual lives, struggles, hopes and dreams. Gitai stitches together these narratives by merely observing, rather than overexplaining or emphasizing. These unmediated vignettes - whether they delve into solemnity, absurdity, or moments of unexpected accord - build together to capture the true heartbeat of Jerusalem, oscillating in the rhythm of everyday life.

Language also plays an important role in this film. It represents another source of both conflict and camaraderie, reflecting the diversity within the tram car. The conversations - an interplay of Arabic, Hebrew, French, and English - echo throughout the tram, developing a richer texture of the narrative. These conversations also provide a unique and organic insight into Jerusalem's multilayered social canvas, emphasizing the significance of communication in understanding and navigating differences.

The film not only magnifies the nuances within the tram but also draws constellations between the tram's motion and the cityscapes it traverses. Gitai captures the walled city of Jerusalem through wide shots of its iconic architecture, from bustling markets to silent landscapes, thus simultaneously painting the intimate as well as the panoramic visuals of the city.

religion politically-tinged banter, flirtations, disputes, and jovial conversations; the tram pulsates with its own unique life, mirroring the multifaceted cityscape's rhythm. Like the tram car smoothly gliding on its rail tracks, interactions shift from one passenger to the next with graceful fluidity.

It’s through this vehicle that Gitai subtly addresses the socio-political climate of the region, highlighting the tensions, frictions and, at times, the delightful intermingling of cultures that abound in Jerusalem. And yet, despite the inherent political undertones, the movie is not meant as a political discourse but rather a homage to life with all its contradictions that is Jerusalem.

A Tramway in Jerusalem is a poignant exploration of human connection, an evocative watch for anyone seeking to understand the socio-cultural dynamics of Jerusalem. The film seamlessly intertwines the inner worlds of various individuals, exposing them to viewers, to create a vivid tapestry of experiences. It provides an intimate examination of a shared space that encapsulates the broader world outside, allowing us to experience the interconnectedness – as well as the disparities – of our human existence. The film truly invites us to step into the life that unfolds within the intimate confines of a tramway in Jerusalem.