The Time That Remains

The Time That Remains is a 2009 semi-biographical drama film written and directed by Elia Suleiman. In the movie, Suleiman distills his personal history, his family's past, and a broader narrative of the Palestinian displacement into a poignant comedy-drama snapshot of life in Israel from 1948 to the present. The star-studded cast includes Menashe Noy, Baher Agbariya, and Suleiman himself, wonderfully brings the narrative to life with their performances.

The structure of The Time That Remains is presented in four historically significant episodes, each woven together to form a mosaic of Palestinian identity. The film is a reflection upon identity, exile, and the Palestinian question and is largely based on Suleiman's own, and his father's, memories, accounts, and Suleiman's diary entries starting from when he was 22 years old.

The story begins in 1948, during the creation of the state of Israel. Here, Suleiman's father, Fuad, is a resistance fighter in Nazareth, a tumultuous period in history that is seen recreating the horror, confusion, and complexity of the Israeli takeover. Narrated with an uncanny balance between tragedy and comedy, the film vividly captures the harsh realities with moments of thawing relief provided by the human spirit's resilience and Suleiman's fine comic timing.

As the narrative progresses to the 1970s, Suleiman's own experiences come into play, highlighting civilian life where threat and danger persist, yet life goes on. Here, we get glimpses into the schools, homes, cafes, and streets where exasperation and rebellion simmer just beneath the surface, portraying an authentic image of a society in constant tension.

The subsequent segments scaffold into the new millennium where Elia himself visits his elderly mother in Nazareth. The narrative reaches a crescendo as it unspools the paradoxical reality of life in the 'Arab Capital of Israel.' Here, Suleiman's brand of humor pierces through the steadily built sentimentality, bringing levity to the otherwise heavy narrative, reminding us of life's absurdity in the face of adversities.

Through Suleiman's storytelling, the audience is offered a panoramic view of Palestinian life under Israeli rule. The Time That Remains beautifully captures the sentiments and experiences of the Palestinian community in Israel, providing a gripping perspective on a topic rarely explored with such depth and humanity. The film approaches the subject matter with a unique mix of personal narratives, significant historical sequences, and subtle humor, offering a fresh lens through which to comprehend the complexities of political and cultural identities.

At its core, The Time That Remains is an intimate exploration of several themes. It is about memory and how it is shaped by significant national and international events. It's about a population that has to navigate daily life with a feeling of displacement. It explores the concept of home – of belonging to a place and being part of a culture and community, even while living as an outsider.

The film is shot in an aesthetically appealing manner, filled with balanced framings and thoughtful imagery – allowing the viewers to experience the emotional moments and tensions visually. Moreover, the performances are solid, particularly Suleiman's, who captures a unique sense of detachment and engagement with the world he portrays.

From the perspective of genre, The Time That Remains falls somewhere between an autobiographical film, a historical account, and a dark comedy - a prototype Suleiman himself is adept at crafting. The overarching tone of the film is rather contemplative and reflective, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the narrative rather than just consume the story.

In essence, The Time That Remains is a movie recommended for anyone with an interest in cinema that tackles important socio-political themes through the prism of personal stories. It offers a striking blend of love, loss, resistance, and humor, creating a piece of art that is not only cinematically beautiful but also historically relevant. The film sketches a poignant picture of reality, capturing the confounding contradictions of life in the Homeland, brilliantly emphasising that even amidst displacement and turmoil, the human spirit lives on.