Not in My Name (Igal Hecht, Canada). 107 min. May 13, 1 pm. Bloor. Rating: NNN Rating: NNN
Controversial Israeli-Canadian director Igal Hecht (The Chosen People) shouldn’t listen to his film’s title. He deserves recognition for his latest work, a provocative exploration of how the Jewish left in North America regard the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Though closing narration suggests a personal agenda, Hecht’s balanced, if not always necessary, footage lets everyone have their say: Jewish anti-occupation protestors and Orthodox rabbis battle with Israeli Pride Day participants Alan Dershowitz plugs his latest book and Norman Finklestein chastises Jews who “play the Holocaust card.”
Hecht needs to work on pacing and musical choice, but this is still a must-see. Agree or disagree, it’s bound to make you think. Call it Chicken Soup For The Mind.
