Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman not only directed, but also stars as the main character in this film. Divine Intervention transforms one of the world’s most tension-driven places into a space of comedy. Suleiman’s acting-with indifferent expressions and crude actions-evokes the memories of the great comedian Buster Keaton. And his use of space-although this is only his second film--resembles that of the great Jacques Tati. Contrary to what the title may suggest, Divine Intervention depicts the lives of those in the Palestinian area, where God’s intervention seems like the last thing to occur. The main characters in the film aspire to love, but that in itself appears comical in this land where everyone is taught only to hate. The director Suleiman intermittently uses slapstick throughout the film, and near the end the film imitates scenes from The Matrix. Because the reality itself is unrealistic, the surrealistic atmosphere only adds to the absurdity and satire of the film. (Kim Young-jin)