Judgement Day
A reflection on the dehumanising nature of conflict
As the explosive war in the Middle East escalates to new heights, we draw parallels between the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the South African occupation of Namibia. Contextualised in the history of the violent struggle against apartheid in South Africa's past and the current brutalising "tit-for-tat" bloodshed taking place in Israel and Palestine, "Judgement Day" is as much a film about the post-apartheid search for healing in South African society as it is a prophetic reflection on the loss of humanity of those bathed in the ongoing bloodied conflict that is Israel and Palestine today.
"Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society". Beginning with the words of Jewish philosopher Abraham Heschel, "Judgement Day" is about the universal effects of war and protracted conflict on those who become the agents of the violence. This film examines the way in which those involved in such conflict become brutalised, losing their essential humanity and moral compass.
We meet two young men, Sean Callaghan and Scotch Mdhlope, who consider themselves brutalised through their role as conscript soldiers in the South African conflicts with Namibia and Angola. We follow the men on their quests for healing, and watch as they recall their past acts in testimonies given to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The experiences of Callaghan and Mdhlope are then compared with the current position of young Israeli soldiers in the Middle East, who must use whatever means necessary to maintain the military occupation of Palestinian territories. In both cases, young men find themselves participating in acts of cruelty as a direct consequence of indoctrination into the priority of "state security" and the need to exert control over a dehumanised enemy.
From this reference point, the film moves to Israel and Palestine and examines the Israeli policy of "settlements" in the occupied territories. "Judgement Day" conveys the harsh day-to-day life experience of the Palestinian people who live under siege conditions and suffer the collective punishment enforced by Israeli security forces. We see disturbing footage of Israeli soldiers pinning two unarmed Palestinian men to the ground and purposefully breaking their arms by twisting them - an incident that occurred frequently according to one Israeli. We also examine the viewpoint of the Israeli settler community.
Filmed over the past two years in South Africa, and in June 2001 in Israel and the occupied territories of Palestine, this powerful, poignant documentary gives new insights to the Israel-Palestine situation today - whilst at the same time reflecting on the South African struggle for freedom, justice and democracy.
Produced by Kevin Harris
www.kevinharris.co.za
FULL SYNOPSIS