Explorations: The International Film Series – Lemon Tree

Salma Zidane, a widow, lives simply through her grove of lemon trees in the West Bank’s occupied territory. The Israeli defense minister and his wife move next door and then the Secret Service orders the trees removed for security. The stoic Salma seeks assistance from the Palestinian Authority (useless), Israeli army (dismissive), and a young attorney, Ziad Daud, who takes the case; this older client attracts him. While the courts deliberate, the Israelis fence her trees and prohibit her from entering the grove. As the trees wither, the defense minister’s wife and, separately, an Israeli journalist, look on Salma with sympathy. In this allegory, does David stand a chance against Goliath?

Admission: free. Donations at the door are welcome and help support the series.