History is an ephemeral notion in the Middle East, especially these days, where landscape-shifting developments are superseded within a month or three by unforeseen events.
That is the unexpected, and no doubt unintended, lesson one gleans from Yael Klopmann’s “Storm of Emotions,” a feature-length documentary that thrusts us into the middle of Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005. The film presents the draining, dramatic operation from the perspective of several policemen and officers among the thousands charged with the heavy responsibility of peacefully evicting Jewish settlers from their homes.
When Yoav Shamir’s terrific snapshot of the tense showdown, “5 Days,” played Jewish film festivals and aired on the Sundance Channel last year, it had the immediacy and power of current events.
“Storm of Emotions” is more ambitious, but it has less impact. It arrives too late to qualify as journalism, but doesn’t provide enough big-picture context to stand as a historical record.
Airing locally on KQED on Oct. 30,, it is nonetheless worth watching for a handful of revealing moments, and for its glimpses of courage, character and idealism.
Through briefings and simulations preceeding the evacuation, policemen and soldiers are trained to be calm, patient, empathetic and nonviolent, even in the face of vitriolic abuse.
Once the operation begins, however, it is impossible for them to be unmoved by the act of uprooting fellow Jews, and the shower of insults. The most wrenching moments take place in synagogues, where religious settlers gather to pray and make their last stand.
Chief inspector Asaf Walfisch, a religious Jew who (after some soul-searching) wears his yarmulke throughout the evacuation, understands the devout settlers and is ideally suited to earn their trust and cooperation. For many, however, he is a target for their rage.
Here is a sampling of the zingers hurled at Walfisch and the other police and soldiers, at high volume and close proximity: “You’re doing to me what the terrorists couldn’t do” and “You look like Nazis, with your black uniforms.”
“It’s a crime that will haunt you for the rest of your days.”
Although the film does not explore Walfisch’s politics or the depth of his religious and ethical dilemmas, he is its most fascinating figure. He embodies the complicated relationship between Zionism and Judaism, with a softness and humanity that is profoundly touching.
Clearly made for an Israeli audience well versed in the events leading up to the evacuation, “Storm of Emotions” offers no explanation for the government’s decision to leave Gaza.
A general American audience, therefore, will be at a disadvantage. Many of those viewers will nonetheless take away a heightened respect for the Israeli police and army, who treat the settlers with extraordinary sensitivity. Other viewers will argue that the behavior of uniformed Israelis toward Palestinians is far less enlightened.
For American-Jewish audiences, the shots of secular police and religious settlers tearfully embracing may resonate the strongest. As one evacuee exclaims, “We are firstly Jews, and then Israelis.”
“Storm of Emotions” airs at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 on KQED-Channel 9 as part of PBS’ “Independent Lens” documentary series.