Encounter Point

Filmmakers Ronit Avni and Julia Bacha's documentary looks at the Bereaved Families Forum, a cross-section of Israelis and Palestinians who share the common ground of trying to bring an end to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict through peaceful political means. Most of the film concentrates on two of the more publicly visible and media-articulate members of this organization: Robi Damelin, an Israeli whose son was killed by a sniper in the West Bank, and Ali Abu Awwad, a Palestinian whose brother was killed by Israeli forces and whose family was jailed by Israeli occupiers. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians have significant issues to cope with, including the overcoming of personal prejudices and the problem of fundamentalist extremists on both sides dedicated to continuing the conflict. Encounter Point was made in 2006, so it doesn't address the more recent developments of a Hamas-controlled Gaza estranged from a Fatah-dominated West Bank. However, there is still much timeliness in its depiction of the growing frustration among Israelis and Palestinians over the fact that peaceful resolution is being pushed forward in baby steps. DVD extras include audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and a featurette on audience reactions to the film. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)