Hoping Ajami Loses an Oscar

Israelis are trying to understand the comments made today by Oscar-nominated film Ajami's Israeli Arab co-director Scandar Copti. The film is a rather brutal description of life in the Yafo neighborhood, "Ajami" -- and as in the tradition of the past few years, the film is another nasty portrayal of Israel.

Copti was interviewed today on Israel Army Radio, and stated that "I am not Israel's national team and do not represent her -- it is an extremely technical thing and that's how it works at the Oscars - it says 'Israel' because that's where the money comes from."

"There's a Palestinian director, an Israeli director, Palestinian actors and Israeli actors. The film technically represents Israel, but I don't represent Israel. I cannot represent a country that does not represent me," he said, according to Army Radio (haaretz)

The Israeli Arab director, who received funding for the film from Israel, insists he is not an Israeli Arab, but a "Palestinian" and the Israeli Arab actors are also "Palestinians."

Personally, I hope the film loses. Only wacked-out Israelis think that an Oscar for Ajami is something to be proud of.

To give you an interesting tidbit about the film, the film's policeman, "Dando" is played by a a real life ex-cop, Eran Naim.

Naim's a brutal sort of guy, and he was recently convicted and ordered to pay NIS 25,000 to a protester he attacked during 2005 right-wing demonstration against the disengagement.

Obviously, the star struck actor claims he did nothing wrong, and the directors of Ajami had no moral or ethical qualms about adding this thug to their cast.

In 2005, as right-wing protest against the Gush Katif disengagement was at its peak, Naim was sent to maintain the order at a protest in Ramat Gan. During a confrontation with one of the demonstrators, Akiva Vitkin, Naim stuck his fingers deep into Vitkin's nostrils and pulled his head back.

The incident was captured on camera and was never denied or condemned by Naim, who continued to claim that he used reasonable "normative" force. However, following two testimonies from police officers who said that the technique Naim used was "not taught and not recommended," Justice Hanan Efrati, sentenced Naim to six months of community service and dismissal from the police force. Naim filed an appeal that was denied.

Along with the help of right-wing elements, Vitkin filed for damages against Naim and another police officer, who he claimed beat him in the police station. Naim failed to respond to the lawsuit and never filed a statement of defense.

Vitkin, who was shocked to see Naim in the movie, said during an interview with Channel 2 that "the choice of Eran Naim for the role of the cop is similar to the choice of a rapist to play in a movie about rape."

With the help of attorney Haim Cohen, who represented him on behalf of Human Rights Organization of Yesha, Vitkin appealed to the court and asked for a verdict to be made in the absence of a statement of defense.

Finally, four months ago, the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court instructed Naim to pay Vitkin a total of NIS 25,000 (about $6,600) in compensation, on top of an additional NIS 1000 ($260) for trial expenses. (YNET)

So if you're really true blue and white -- you'll be rooting for this film, to lose.

I know I will.

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