The films of Costa-Gavras by Homer B. Pettey

Author:Homer B. Pettey [Pettey, Homer B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, Entertainment, Film, History & Criticism, Performing Arts
ISBN: 9781526146915
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Published: 2020-06-11T04:00:00+00:00

District attorney Joshua Herzog, played by Gabriel Byrne, replies, ‘Yes, he was just going around in the dead of night climbing down the well to get a breath of his native air.’ This sarcastic comment from the district attorney prosecuting the case against Bakri reveals a cynicism toward Kaufman's willingness to believe Bakri's story. Hanna continues, ‘He was frightened, he was terrified. What would you have done Mr District Attorney?’ Herzog asks, ‘In his shoes?’ Hanna K. states, ‘He wasn't wearing shoes.’ Herzog asks, ‘So he was wearing only his shorts?’ Hanna K. replies, ‘In any case, he certainly wasn't wearing camouflage like the other defendants.’ The judge asks, ‘Is discussion of the defendant's clothing absolutely necessary?’ Hanna K. replies, ‘Yes.’ Herzog says, ‘Not as far as I'm concerned. For the defense perhaps since it's their only argument.’ The judge states, ‘You may continue, Counselor.’

Hanna continues, ‘Selim Bakri is not a terrorist. He was simply trying to come back to what he considers his country. He did this secretly because our laws give him no other possibilities. And since, by our laws, this is also a crime, he should be punished according to the provisions of Article 521.’ Herzog corrects her, stating, ‘721, I believe.’ There is a furtive exchange of glances between Byrne and the judge. Hanna acknowledges the error and says, ‘Right, 721 of the military code. Expel him, then, but do not condemn him for something he didn't do and had no intention of doing. It is no crime to be present by coincidence where others are preparing or committing illegal acts.’ This early scene provides the essential narrative that will propel the entire story in the film: Bakri's attempted return to his ancestral home is characterized and understood as a form of trespassing (‘clandestine immigration’) because that is the only way to comprehend an Arab Palestinian within a Zionist framework steeped in Orientalist caricatures. Selim is a trespassing Arab because within Zionism the Palestinian is an Arab refugee. Golda Meir captured this mindset quite precisely when she claimed, ‘There are no Palestinian people. There are Palestinian refugees.’

After this courtroom scene, Bakri is then transported across a border into Jordan, out of Israel proper. An Israeli soldier tells him to keep an IDF-issued jacket just prior to him crossing out of Israel. The soldier says, ‘You can keep it. It is yours.’ ‘Thank you,’ Bakri replies, refusing the jacket given to him, as if accepting it would signal accommodation with the occupier. The soldier states, ‘You're free. Good luck.’ Upon attempting to re-enter Israel, Bakri is captured again and put in jail. Upon his second arrest, he specifically seeks out Hanna K. as his attorney. Although an interpreter is present during their brief meeting in the prison, Bakri reveals that he is quite fluent in English. Hanna K. discerns that he answers in Arabic before the interpreter translates for him what she says in English. Upon his revealing that he knows English, Hanna states, ‘But you asked for an interpreter.

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