200 Meters
Mustafa, a Palestinian construction worker, lives in a West Bank home a mere 200 meters away from his wife and children, on the other side of the Israeli border wall. Though eligible for an Israeli ID, Mustafa sacrifices living with his family in resistance to what he believes are unjust laws enforced by the occupying Israeli government, so he instead uses his work permit to visit daily. The arrangement is functional, until one day Mustafa gets a call every parent dreads: his son has been seriously injured and brought to an Israeli hospital. Rushing to cross the border checkpoint, Mustafa is denied on a technicality. Stopping at nothing to reach his child, a 200 meter distance becomes a 200 kilometer odyssey, as the increasingly desperate Mustafa attempts to smuggle himself to the other side of the wall. Featuring a mesmerizing central performance by Ali Suliman (PARADISE NOW, JACK RYAN), 200 METERS "persuasively captures the grinding indignities of day to day Palestinian life" (Screen Daily) in an impressive feature debut by writer/director Ameen Neyfeh that expertly balances tender family drama and frenetic political thriller.
"Despite having only previously directed two short films, Ameen’s direction is impressive for a first feature attempt with a decent sized cast and production. The production overall is professional in the execution, the story is important and the film a merit to Israeli cinema. Highly Recommended." - The Sound View
"Ali Suliman, Anna Unterberger, Lana Zreik, and Motaz Malhees lead an excellent cast of characters who, in their own ways, are all dealing with the ongoing tensions between Palestine and Israeli. The film is a glimpse into the day-to-day struggles of life at the wall, and tells a subtle, yet stark story of family and politics on the West Bank... 200 METERS does not set out to answer the larger questions of the political discord and, in the end, very little is resolved--just like the Middle East conflict itself. Recommended." - EMRO
Cast
- Ali Suliman
- Anna Unterberger
- Lana Zreik
- Motaz Malhees
DVD Features
Bonus Features:
Audio Commentary with director Ameen Nayfeh.
Short Film:
The Crossing
Directed by Ameen Nayfeh
Palestine
Arabic with English subtitles
10 minutes
Three siblings anxious to visit their ailing grandfather on the other side of the Palestine-Israel border encounter difficulties at the checkpoint.
Discs: 1
- "A superb central performance from Ali Suliman as Mustafa is at the heart of this impressive first feature, which persausively captures the grinding indignities of day to day Palestinian life. Ali Suliman gives a terrific, satifyingly layered performance."
- "One of the pleasures of anticipating an Ali Suliman performance is knowing he’ll bring depth and complexity to every role. His character in “200 Meters,” a father of three taking huge risks to get to his son in the hospital...gives the movie its heart. ."
- "Ali Suliman excels as the anxious and impatient father in this feverish film that touches on hate and prejudice."
- "Nayfeh's film mixes thriller-like tension with deeply-felt sympathy for his characters, with Suliman delivering a finely-nuanced performance."
- "Ali Suliman is an incredible screen presence. Beneath his calm demeanour are hidden depths of emotion (frustration, panic, rage and love), which Suliman expertly ekes out as he carries the film forward. Meanwhile, Nayef balances the changing genre styles perfectly so they work solely to service the story."
- "Ali Suliman brings a sweet earnestness to Mustafa that cuts through the more stubborn elements of his character. Nayfeh asks us to walk 200m in Mustafa's shoes - it proves to be a much longer and more complex journey than you might think."
- "A strong lead performance from Ali Suliman brings a compelling touch to this engaging film."
- "The performances throughout are incredibly convincing, and often bring tender and heartwarming moments, as well as ones full of frustration and rage. It’s an impressive feature-length debut from Ameen Nayfeh...."
Gallery
Awards & Recognition
The BNL People's Choice Award
Venice Days
Meet the Neighbors Competition
Thessaloniki Film Festival
Meet the Neighbors Special Jury Award
Thessaloniki Film Festival
Human Rights Jury Prize
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Audience Award
Golden Rooster Awards
Jury Prize - Best Feature Film
Ajyal Youth Film Festival
Audience Award
Ajyal Youth Film Festival
Cinema for Humanity Prize
El Gouna Film Festival
FIPRESCI Int'l. Critics Prize
El Gouna FIlm Festival
Audience Choice Award
San Diego Arab Film Festival
Best Actor
El Gouna Film Festival
Berlin Film Festival
London Film Festival
Miami Film Festival
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