Lemon Tree

Synopsis: Salma Zidane, a widow, lives simply from her grove of lemon trees in the West Bank's occupied territory. The Israeli defense minister and his wife move next door; the Secret Service orders the trees removed for security. The stoic Salma seeks assistance from the Palestinian Authority (useless), Israeli army (dismissive), and a young attorney, Ziad Daud, who takes the case; this older client attracts him. While the courts deliberate, the Israelis fence her trees and prohibit her from entering the grove. As the trees wither, the defense minister's wife and, separately, an Israeli journalist, look on Salma with sympathy. In this allegory, does David stand a chance against Goliath?

Genre: Drama

Director(s): Eran Riklis

Actors: Hiam Abbass, Rona Lipaz-Michael, Ali Suliman, Doron Tavory

Production: IFC

8 wins & 12 nominations.


IMDB:: 7.4
Metacritic:: 74
Rotten Tomatoes:: 91%

Collection Edit Watch PDF Buy

: NOT RATED
Year:: 2008
: 106 min
: $467,072
: Website
: 77 Views

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who hardly lives off her lemons.
What about a husband?
I knew him well actually,
but he died years ago.
But what will keep a terrorist
from entering the grove,
gathering intelligence,
throwing a grenade, whatever.
Before we respond,
he'll be asleep in Nablus.
Gilad, security fences, watch towers,
sensors, soldiers, the Secret Service.
Not enough? What else can we do?
Do not turn the page
until you are instructed to do so.
Easy, Gilad, easy.
Listen, I don't take the decisions here,
but you see how easy it is.
Everything ok?
Can't complain, Mrs. Navon.
Why do they always give me
the worst jobs?
Stop whining.
Give her the letter and let's go.
I'm starving.
Move it!
Open the door!
Come here! Quick!
Give this letter to Mrs. Salma Zidane.
It's urgent and important. Got it?
Hello, Abu Camal.
Hello, Um Nasser.
How are your wife and kids?
Fine. They kiss your hand.
I came because I received this letter.
You know I can't read Hebrew.
And I have a feeling it's important.
It's from the Central Region Commander,
the son of a bitch,
informing you
they will cut down your lemon grove,
because the trees pose a threat
to the safety
of the Defense Minister
who lives across from you.
"An immediate and absolute
military necessity."
What's wrong, Um Nasser?
Why are you crying?
Do you know how much land they
confiscated to build prisons for us?
And how many houses they demolished?
It says here you are
eligible for compensation.
The lsraelis are so generous...
Thank you.
But we don't take their money.
You understand that, right?
You're listening to DC Radio 99.9 FM,
in the nation's capital.
The only station that brings you
jazz to sooth your ears.
It's 1 1 :
14
and it's another sunny day here in the capital...
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