Chronicle of a Disappearance
Contemporary Master: Elia Suleiman
/ Feature Narrative / France, Germany, Israel, United States of America, Palestine / 1996 / Colour
In Arabic, English, French, Hebrew, Russian / English subtitles
Rated: Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 13. Individuals under the age of 13 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by an individual aged 18 or older.
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Synopsis
In an investigation of the twilight zone between narrative, history and autobiography, ‘Chronicle of a Disappearance’ transgresses the boundaries of many genres. After living in New York for many years, Elia Suleiman returned to Palestine for this film. He used his privileged position as half-insider and half-outsider to analyse how much the Arab population of Palestine is losing its national identity. Through his alter-ego E.S.’s quasi-aimless roaming, we become acquainted with his extended circle of family and friends, witnessing characters who lead a marginal existence in an occasionally surreal reality. The director/protagonist moves between the role of character and spectator, mediator and narrator, as the film itself moves between documentary and fiction, past and present. The film is lucidly structured, funny and ironic.