Repetition in Divine Intervention (2002) is how Elia Suleiman creates emphasis without the use of dialogue. He specifically uses repetition to stress the idea of hopelessness and oppression. This concept of stagnation is a common theme among many Arabic films since many countries in the region experience this same feeling of belonging to a besieged country. The director’s feelings of being cemented in a culture with highly limited expressional possibilities are conveyed in a very clear manor.
Oppression is displayed in every aspect of this movie through the use of repetition. The conflict between the neighbors represents the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The men are neighbors in the same way that Palestine and Israel are neighbors and both accuse each other of being the problem. The repetition of throwing trash into each other’s yards shows the hopelessness that the countries experience on a micro level. Arab Media and Society comments that “Suleiman’s hallmarks are non-linear episodic narratives that rely less on plot and characterization and more on the combination of film structure, editing and soundtrack to create meaning” (Arab Media & Society). The article gives a similar opinion on how Suleiman focuses more on the scenes of repetition and display than the dialogue which is different from most other directors. It displays how this conflict infiltrates the communities as well. The wife is shown finding trash and burning it in her display of repetitive and senseless tasks also to represent the same idea of oppression.
E.S.’s father was showed countless times sitting in his kitchen reading the newspaper or drinking coffee in this practice of monotonous tasks that seem irrelevant at first. The Shafik book identifies this symbolism by saying “[Divine Intervention] repeats almost identical images of elderly men sitting around and women engaged in senseless activities” (Shafik 18). As the film progresses viewers realize how symbolic these practices are to the real conflict in the movie. His repetition shows his boredom and lack of freedom without explicitly depicting the nationwide conflict.
Another example of reiteration, as shown in the film, is identified by the book Filming the Modern Middle East: “In Divine Intervention a man waits at a bus stop although he knows no bus will appear” (Khatib 126). This is one of the best examples of the desperation of the people affected by this conflict. It goes along with the idea of the citizens waiting for a solution to the conflict and knowing that there will be no resolution without change.
The scene of E.S. and the woman is recognized on many platforms as a key part of Suleiman’s repetition in the film. One article identified the scene as “… the uneasy shot repetition of the filmmaker and his fantasy girl sitting in a car together at the Jerusalem border, no words exchanged, their hands desperately interlocked” (Kipp 1). As they meet over and over again the relationship develops and E.S. writes a note to her that says “I am crazy because I love you” which sticks to readers as a repetitive message but also as one that represents Palestinians and their love for their homeland. Their forbidden relationship represents the struggle of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Critical academic articles can identify this work of cinema as a piece containing a significant amount of repetition to convey themes of the real Palestinian-Israeli conflict within works of fiction. The presentation of repetition and how it supports oppression and hopelessness is well defined and supported in this movie. Repetition helps convey much more than viewers realize at first, but a deeper analysis proves the intent of the symbolism.
Works Cited
Divine Intervention. Dir. Elia Suleiman. Perf. Elia Suleiman and Manal Khader,
Seville Pictures, 2002. DVD.
Khatib, Lina. Filming the modern Middle East: politics in the cinemas of
Hollywood and the Arab world. London: Tauris, 2006. Print.
Kipp, Jeremiah. Divine.pdf. Buffalo,NY: Buffalo Film Seminars, 16 Jan. 2003. Pdf.
“Palestinian anti-narratives in the films of Elia Suleiman.” Arab Media &
Society. N.p., 10 May 2008. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.
Shafik, Viola. Arab cinema: history and cultural identity. London: I.B. Tauris,
2016. Print.
Through an Arabic Lens: the Intersection of Film and Culture 
I agree when you say that repetition helps convey much more than viewers realize at first until further analyzed because after watching this movie, I was very confused as to what all the seemingly irrelevant everyday actions meant and could not find the deeper meaning of the film. After analyzing it with the class, the everyday actions became relevant.
krisia lazo
kl16c@my.fsu.edu
The way Sulieman used repetition went over my head and I had no clue what he was trying to achieve. However, subconsciously I grew empathetic to the characters because I learned their day to day routine and how inane it was! It was only after we went over it in class did this come to light. I thought you captured why Sulieman used repetition perfectly and how it made us care about the characters.
Your focus on the repetition in the film really helped open my eyes to what Suleiman was actually intending throughout the film. During much of the film I was very confused as to why it was so repetitive and incoherent. After reading your article highlighting the subject I had a much better grasp on the relevance of everything he seemed to throw in the film.
You explaining what the meaning was behind all the repetition was very helpful to me and I am sure to other classmates. I thought it was strange and confusing at first but I can see now, after reading this, that it was a symbol of how the people feel in real life living in the conditions made by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
This article made the point of the film much clearer and also made sense of the scenes that at first confused me very much and I was not able to see the point being made. I did not notice the effect and the intention of repetition up until I read this article. I think the article is very clear and specific throughout and completely analyses the film. This movie also does an excellent job, portraying the real life of Palestinian people.
When we first watched “Divine Intervention”, I believed that the repetition was just a by product of limited resources for the film. The blog post help makes sense of this reoccurring theme, which confuses the audience at first. Most of the themes in this movie require in depth analysis to fully understand the meaning.
This article hits all the high points necessary in explaining the continuous seeming never-ending struggle in Palestine. The symbolism of the never-ending is indicative of a large scale systematic problem across the Middle East, which is that a lack of change in the system is a real problem. You talk about the Palestinian struggle, but I would argue it talks about a supranational struggle to find their identity.
sgm15@my.fsu.edu
i really agree with this article. When we first watch the film i did not understand the repetition. However, after the class lecture and in depth look into some of the scenes it all became more clear. The repetition of actions is a symbol of what happens in the middle east. With no change in sight, the middle east continues to quarrel and make no progress.
Your argument that the tasks, such as the father’s repeated breakfast routine, are monotonous and reflective of the environment is one I agree with. Since the father never makes forward progress on his meal there is a strong sense of stagnation. This can be related to the hopelessness associated with peace in the region.
This film was one that I really struggled with understanding. The film really did not make much sense to me overall, mainly because of the odd actions committed in the film. Your analysis of repetition and connecting it throughout the film made me understand a little better why the director decided include seemingly pointless actions.
Your last statement is very accurate in regards to this film. You said, “Repetition helps convey much more than viewers realize at first, but a deeper analysis proves the intent of the symbolism”. This is definitely a film that is so imbued with symbolism that it is next to impossible for a viewer to fully understand all of it without reading some form of critical analysis on the piece. The repetition throughout the film is one of the greatest ways to show the banality of Palestinian’s lives in Israeli occupied territory.
Your explanation and details of the repetition in Divine Intervention opened my eyes to the idea of repetition even being displayed in the film. Not going to lie, while I was watching the film repetition did not even cross my mind. I was mainly more confused than anything. But your analysis of the repetition in the film made me realize how much it occurred.
Your comment on how their oppression was showed through repetition was a very good point. It seems as if they are trapped in the same day to day routine and do not really have any way out. Just like the man that was waiting at the bus stop every day, the people in the town seem to be endlessly waiting on something that will never come, but are hopeful that something will eventually change.
I think you explained the repetition perfectly and why it is portrayed in this movie in a specific way. The restrictions enforced on the Palestinian people makes their daily lives appear as if they are on hold indefinitely. They have no voice in their lives. Since they have no voice, they have no free will in their lives. Every move is dictated by the Israeli occupation and every thought is about the occupation. You definitely exemplified this in your blog by talking about the following examples of repetition: Elia Suleiman’s father opening letters, the woman burning the trash everyday, and the man who throws garbage into his neighbor’s yard constantly. This was a very good blog overall.
I liked how you brought up many of the symbolic representations throughout the film such as the neighbors portraying the Palestine-Israeli conflict, and the constant how the use of repetition shows the viewers how many of the people in these areas are being repressed. This post helped me see how the use of repetition was actually being used to show the lack of freedom and boredom in the film.
I think that your explanation of the Suleiman’s use of repetition was very useful in explaining the film. I noticed the numerous uses of repetition while watching the film as well and I agree that it was used as a way to emphasize the oppression that Palestinians are facing. The way Suleiman creates the conflict between the neighbors is a representation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel, which you explained. Overall, I enjoyed your blog post because the explanations were clear and the examples you used were very helpful to clarify points in the film.
I agree with the points that you make, they are all valid, and I strongly agree with how much emphasis you put on solely the repetitive actions. They make up most of the movie, and they are central to all of the motifs that construct this movie. I also like how you made sure to mention E.S. and his fantasy girl in the car. Those scenes were very central to the plot of the movie and I was not exactly sure how to touch upon them in my blog.
The exposure of repetition throughout the film was very well done and the examples used were well picked since they were the most memorable after the film. I also believe that your explanation of the use of these repetitions were very reflective and well thought out since many people in the audience, including myself, could not make sense of these seemingly meaningless scenes that kept popping up.