Remains Is a Film That Is Focused

¶ … Remains is a film that is focused on Palestinians who decide to stay in Israel from 1948 to 2008. It is divided into four different periods the most notable include: 1948, the 1960s, the 1980s and 2008. These different segments are designed to show the challenges that Palestinians are facing. ("The Song Remains," 2009)

The film begins in 1948. This is when Fuad Suleiman is seeing major transformations in Nazareth. What is happening is the Israeli army takes over the town as a part of the UN mandate. This is establishing the state of Israel. Fuad is a young man and chooses to remain. While his girlfriend; flees and he never hears from her again. He chooses to stay and becomes a minority in the Jewish state. This is illustrating the transformations that are occurring and the challenges that Palestinians are dealing with. In this situation, they had a homeland which is lost after the Jews become more prominent and gain tremendous amounts of influence on the international stage. ("The Song Remains," 2009)

In the 1960s, Fuad is leading a different life. This is when he is married and has a young child. The former life that he had known in 1948 has evolved to one where he continues to remain. Yet, he faces discrimination and cultural indoctrination from the Israeli authorities. This is accomplished through showing how their lives have changed with the family and their neighbors. Anyone who attempts to leave will face obstacles from the Israeli authorities and subjugation. ("The Song Remains," 2009)

As they are engaging in recreational activities, is when they will endure repeated amounts of harassment from the Israeli army. This is taking place by being stereotyped as second class citizen and having to continually present identification everywhere they go. Moreover, his son Eila is forced to sing Jewish songs and become indoctrinated in Israeli culture. Their movements are restricted and they feel a sense of isolation from their people. ("The Song Remains," 2009)

Next, the film shifts to focus on Fuad and Eila during the 1980s. This is when Fuad has become older and is relying on his son to help him seek out medical assistance (as he has become fraile). One day Eila is told that he must leave the country or face the possibility of arrest. This is because he has been actively observing the altercations that are taking place between Israeli police and Palestinian youths (who are a part of the Intifada). The problems for Eila begins when, he watches what happens and is considered to be a participant as well as supporter (from his passive involvement with these events). This is illustrating how the total amounts of discrimination have evolved to the point that innocent Palestinians are being targeted for doing nothing other than witnessing something. ("The Song Remains," 2009)