Unsettled, a documentary by Adam Hootnick, tells the story of six young adults living in Israel during the summer of 2005, when the Jewish state made the controversial decision to pull out of the Gaza Strip. Unlike other documentaries about the Arab-Israeli conflict, Hootnick's film focuses on the intra-ethnic conflict among Israelis themselves.
Lior, Meir and Neta are about to be evicted from their homes in Gaza. Tamar and Yuval will be among the Israeli soldiers to kick them out. And, Ye'ela, an activist who lost her sister in a 1996 terrorist bombing, fights to keep her country together as it teeters on the brink of civil war. For Hootnick, the decision to include only Israeli characters was both practical and innovative. Instead of showcasing the atrocities occurring between Israel and Palestine, a common vision in everyone's minds, Hootnick forces viewers to attempt to understand a more critical point: the lack of unity among the Israeli people.
Moreover, the film presents a surprisingly objective point of view. Instead of the usual dramas rife with bias, Unsettled is a relatively apolitical film. The audience is not treated to Hootnick's commentary on disengagement, nor does it seem to matter. Instead, the omission boosts Hootnick's credibility as a filmmaker.
More than anything, Hootnick dispels the notion that all Israelis, and all Jews for that matter, agree on the same policies and thus reflect one cohesive idea. The film's portrayal of the grief soldier and settler experience alike rattles viewers out of their comfort zones. It forces the audience to fathom how Israelis can possibly feel such disappointment toward other Israelis, because for most, it is impossible to picture Israeli soldiers physically battling fellow Jews. One of the most poignant moments occurs when a Gaza settler screams "Heil Hitler" and "Heil Sharon" as Israeli soldiers march past him. This scene, among others, helps illuminate the untold story of the conflict that emerged in Israel throughout the disengagement process. Hootnick dispenses comic relief at just the right moments, showcasing his ability to lead an audience from laughter to tears. His movie will ultimately live up to its name, leaving viewers feeling unsettled but engaged.
