Monday 7 March 2011

Suffering on all sides

This post isn't about me. To be completely honest, I'm not really sure where to start, or how to approach the subject, so I think I'll just dive in.

This weekend, Boyfriend and I watched a four part drama called The Promise. This recently aired on Channel 4, but we'd missed the first part, and so decided to wait until it was finished so we could watch it all in one go. We didn't plan on watching it all this weekend, but that's how it happened. We were absolutely fascinated and just wanted to watch more and more.

The Promise is about a young English girl who finds out that her terminally ill grandfather used to serve in the army in 1940s Palestine, under the British mandate. She follows his steps when she goes to Israel during her gap year and experiences the situation for herself.

Without giving too much away, I want to say I found this programme simply amazing. I realise this is an extremely sensitive subject. I know it is, and I cannot say I am unbiased. How could I be when so many of my family members perished in the camps? How could I be when I remembered a distant relative ended up fighting in the Irgun? But this does not mean I cannot appreciate the pain and suffering which has since taken place in this part of the world.

I do not feel this programme will try and sway you one way or the other. I felt it gave both points of view very well, and tried to be impartial, as difficult a task this may be. What I will say though is that you must watch it. It taught me a lot, and is simply a very good programme about an extremely important issue which shapes many facets of the world we live in today.

(If you do decide to watch it, be quick, I think it's only available until the end of the month on 4oD.)

4 comments:

Lucy in the Clouds said...

I really enjoyed this and learnt a lot about the subject though I still wouldn't say I understand it. I was left with a feeling of hopelessness though, not sure if you felt the same? I hadn't realised just how long it had been going on and I just can't seem to see how the situation will ever be resolved. Makes you realise how lucky you are to simply be born in one country rather than another.

Petit Filoux said...

Oh absolutely. Actually I was left balling my eyes out, feeling there really is too much pain and suffering in the world! Not exactly the best feeling on a Sunday night...
And yes, I can't see how it could be sorted out either, but I felt it was one of those programmes you should watch, I don't know... it's quite educational if anything?

The Curious Cat said...

I don't know alot about this are of history so if I get some time I will give it a go - will bookmark this page - I'm planning to stay in on Friday so it might be a good one for the evening xxx

Ragged Roses said...

Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. Next time you are in Covent Garden, go into the shop, the staff are really friendly, we've never actually bought anything in the shop but buy it online from them but the staff are always lovely whether you buy or not!
I have been meaning to watch The Promise on catch up, thanks for the reminder, it does look fascinating.
x