*Editor’s Note: Excerpts of this review could be perceived as expressions of personal views on matters of current public debate and consideration. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Irish Film Critic.
Musa Hadid is the Christian mayor of Ramallah, the de facto capital of the Palestinian Authority. As he tries to keep his city running while paving sidewalks, planning holidays, and building a new fountain, his job is made increasingly difficult by the Israeli occupation of his home. Mayor asks with humor and outrage: how do you run a city if you don’t have a country?
“Mayor,” (directed, co-edited, and co-scored by David Osit), is a funny, illuminating, and timely documentary. The titular Mayor, Musa Hadid, is the Mayor of Ramallah, an ancient Palestinian-Christian town located in the heart of the West Bank. Musa is serving his second term in office looking to rebuild roads, increase tourism, and end the Israeli occupation. Due to the feuding between Israel and Palestine over Jerusalem, Ramallah is now the “seat of Palestinian Government” and is surrounded by encroaching Israeli settlements. Although culturally significant, Ramallah looks like most Western towns with a Popeyes Fried Chicken, a large Christmas tree, and other familiar structures brought by globalization.
Musa’s constituents seem to revere him. In one scene, a local offers to feed Musa, and finally, after a back and forth, the man pulls out a massive pan of shakshuka. Musa hilariously replies, “you always do this to me!” Later on, Musa delivers a blessing of freedom and independence during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, as the cheering crowd watches a Santa repel down a building waving a Palestinian flag. Another reminder of the confused and mangled results of globalization.
When Trump announces Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, an international crisis forms, leading to Palestinian uprisings. An increase in violence and protests leads to an intense moment where Musa and his driver unwittingly drive into the middle of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shooting at some young men resisting with rocks. Fearing for his safety, the mayor heads down to City Hall to watch outside. Director David Osit pans the camera away from the chaos and focuses on the back of Musa’s head, absorbing the spectacle. A child asks, “who do you support Hamas or Fattah?” Musa replies “The PFLP” (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine).
When Israel blockades Ramallah you can see the devastation caused by medieval-like warfare tactics: sewage fills the streets, people are forced to burn their trash that’s overflowing, IDF troops destroy olive trees (which take generations to grow back), and poison water wells. During Musa’s negotiations with the Israeli government officials, they discuss that in 2002, the IDF demolished critical infrastructure in Ramallah and continue to block Palestinian’s access to Jerusalem.
In an attempt to draw more attention to his town and cause, Musa takes trips to the United States, Germany, and England. During Prince William’s visit, Musa and his delegation are disturbed by his political nihilism and the fact that the British government set up the State of Israel. Surprisingly, Prince Willian stated he was moved by the visit to the occupied territories but I haven’t heard anything further about it since.
Osit’s approach, focusing on one town amidst a larger global environment, is brilliant. While staring out from his lovely office, Musa reflects, “I feel jealous when I visit other cities. There’s so much they can do that we can’t. Not because we don’t want to, it’s just not in our hands.” Osit isn’t trying to change anyone’s mind, he lets the real-time footage speak for itself – a true public service!
“Mayor” is now streaming on the acclaimed PBS Television Series ‘POV’
