“Let It Be Morning” is a film that is both quiet and powerful in its build-up. The film is a masterpiece by writer and director Erin Kolirin and is an accumulation of everyday detail that leads to an impactful ending. It highlights the fact that even in the midst of political turmoil and the threat of violence, people still have to tend to their daily lives.
Kolirin, a Jewish Israeli filmmaker, steps outside of his comfort zone with this film. He has adapted a novel written by Palestinian writer Sayed Kassua, which focuses on a Palestinian family that holds Israeli citizenship. The film takes place in a small village, following a wedding, where Israeli military forces block the only road out of town. The wedding guests are forced to return to the village and wait, leading to a story of confinement, both physically and emotionally.
The film follows the older brother Sami, a smart, successful man who uses his silence to hide his discomfort. Through Sami, the film intertwines the personal and political elements of the story, showing how they are intertwined.
Kolirin has faced criticism for being an Israeli Jewish artist who has made a film about an Israeli Arab family. The film deals with class tensions within the community, making it difficult for members to decide whether to take up arms or remain peaceful. This film takes care to show how some characters are worried that a confrontational strategy will lead to the loss of their material gains.
Sami becomes a symbol of the moneyed class’s unwillingness to get involved in a struggle that will eventually impact them. He is mentally and geographically distancing himself from his roots, and is the first Arab to hold an executive job at his company.
“Let It Be Morning” is a powerful film that highlights the fact that even in times of political turmoil, people still have to attend to their daily lives. The film is a masterpiece by Erin Kolirin, and is a must-see for anyone who is interested in films that showcase the impact of politics on daily life.
Mixed Media Magazine 