“In the Land of Pomegranates” joins a long cinematic lineage. What sets Hava Kohav Beller’s documentary apart is the intense colloquy...bristling tension captured intimate footage...it illuminates the seeds of hatred and the depths of suffering and mistrust.”

“Bravo to Beller for taking the time to create this complex, multifaceted look at a place that’s so much more than a war zone.”

“Even those of us who regularly cover Palestine and...Israel can see and hear something new and powerful in the documentary.”

“An extraordinary documentary that, for anyone genuinely interested in and/or concerned with the seemingly intractable Israel/Palestine conflict, becomes an immediate must-see.  The movie does a splendid job of forcing us to consistently confront both sides of the issue and to see things from the alternative viewpoint. It is moving and surprising, even occasionally funny, but always thoughtful and humane.”

“If you like documentaries the way they more often used to be (raw and ruminative rather than didactic, slick, snarky or smug) go see In The Land of Pomegranates.

I can’t stop thinking about it...

Fantastic. Those kids talking... It was inspiring one moment and devastating the next.”

“Hava Kohav Beller’s “In the Land of Pomegranates” tackles the Middle East’s most intractable, and most publicized, crisis by interweaving two strands of documentary. Combining two separate filmmaking modes like this is a tougher challenge than some viewers might imagine…and it’s to the credit of Beller and editor Jonathan Oppenheim that the meshing here is both smooth and productive: the two strands do illuminate each other, creating a dialectic within the film that’s both informative and thought-provoking.

One thing that’s valuable about a film like this is that it shows us places that writing alone leaves too abstracted.”

“Lush cinematography… supremely gorgeous shots of Israel…stunning locales that serve as a dramatic counterpoint to the bitter feuds and spilled blood. Superb editing. One of the most striking elements of the film is how similar the young Palestinians and Jews look; aside from those wearing burkas or yarmulkes, it is not immediately apparent what side they are on. And no matter what side you’re on, you’re likely to become enraged as the subject of the Holocaust takes center stage and the film reaches its sizzling conclusion.”

“In the Land of Pomegranates | Documentary film

Vacation From War. The title of the program sounds strange, but the idea behind it makes perfect sense. Palestinian and Israeli youth are removed geographically from the combat zones that shape their daily experience and encouraged to dialogue. The underlying premise behind such an experiment is that it is harder to demonize an actual person that you are looking in the face. The dialogue sessions are the heart and the best part of In the Land of Pomegranates. You may not remember the names of the young people, but it will be hard to forget their courage in seeking peaceable discussion with those their respective cultures say they should fear and hate. At a time when so much of our own political discourse is monopolized by spin campaigns and representatives parroting talking points, it’s inspiring to see these participants do the hard work of listening. Be careful, you may catch yourself talking back to the screen! ”