What drives a person to become a suicide bomber? The answer has
less to do with religion, and more to do with politics and economics.

As Paradise Now argues, the Palestinian Muslims who turn
into suicide bombers are invariably poor uneducated men who feel
that their lives have been circumscribed by the occupying power,
Israel. Deprived of choices and opportunities, they see death as
their best escape from poverty brought on partially by the Israel
occupation. Islam is then distorted and used as a form of motivational
device to lead them to slaughter.

Winner of the Best Foreign Picture at this year's Golden Globes,
plus 11 other international awards, the film has been hailed in
America as an important exploration into the causes of terrorism.
But Paradise Now also succeeds as dramatic work, depicting
the simple story of two best friends (Kais Neshif and Ali Suliman)
who are desperate to put an end to their pathetic lives.

The lead performances are intense, and the direction by Hany Abu-Assad
is inspired. Director of photography Antoine Heberle miraculously
manages to make the dirty streets of the West Bank look lonely and
poetic. For political junkies, this is the must-watch of the month.