To Die in Jerusalem poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Filmmaker Hilla Medalia offers an affecting microcosm of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict by exploring the eerie case in which an Israeli teenager was killed by a suicide bomber with whom she seemed t... read more read more...o have shared more similarities than differences. In late March of 2002, Jerusalem teen Rachel Levy was killed in a suicide bombing carried out by Palestinian teen Ayat al-Akhras. Though their disparate religious backgrounds would suggest that Levy and al-Akhras had little in common, both girls were 17 years old, bore an uncanny physical resemblance to one another, and spent the majority of their woefully brief lives less than four miles apart. Ever since Levy's death, her grieving mother has failed to find peace. Now, just a few short years after her daughter was taken in that fateful blast, Levy's mother will come face to face with al-Akhras' mother for the very first time. The result is a film that highlights the vast differences beneath the surface of both girls' lives while putting a decidedly human face on each side of this age-old conflict. By exploring the incredible personal loss experienced by two families who have been touched by the tragedy of this ongoing violence firsthand, filmmaker Medalia ponders the concept of martyrdom and the cycle of violence that threatens to consume an entire region. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

423 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Hilla Medalia

Release Date: October 27, 2007

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009

Stats: 43 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (43)

  • gator681
    October 13, 2010
    gator681
    "To Die in Jerusalem" is a heartbreaking documentary that starts with a suicide bombing in a supermarket in Jerusalem. What sets this incident apart is the similarities between Ayat al-Akhras, the murderer(the movie reminds me why I hate the term martyr so much), and Rachel Levy... read more, the victim, who were both 17 and bore a striking resemblance to each other. But that's where the similarities end as each was taught conflicting narratives about what is and what should be Israel and Palestine. In an attempt to understand some of the thinking behind this heinous act, Rachel's mother wants to talk to Ayat's mother. And there is a lot of talking here but very little listening with so little physical distance to cover but so much emotional terrain. Much of that concerns the resistance that some Palestinians feel they must wage against Israel but surely there has to be a better way than violence.(For example, in no way does non-violent protest have to be passive.) That just leads to a siege mentality on the other side of the fence as the cycle repeats as nobody can be allowed to forget every grievance but not who started the conflict in the first place.
  • seleh87
    September 25, 2008
    seleh87
    this is a sad movie......u think u think u have problems well think again.....this world needs peace all around......so sad....
  • clooneyfan
    February 10, 2008
    clooneyfan
    Two beautiful girls. One was a Palestinian suicide bomber, the other her victim. This documentary explores how their deaths affected their families- especially the mothers. This has subtitles but I found it very poignant and informative. Although I felt for both mothers, I think ... read morethat glorifying martyrdom only perpetuates the suicide bombings.

View All To Die in Jerusalem Reviews

Critic Reviews

No recent reviews.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

No information available.

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

To Die in Jerusal... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for To Die in Jerusalem. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All To Die in Jerusalem Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add To Die in Jerusalem to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?