The Olive Route (2013) Part 4 The Olive Tree in the Holy Land. 27/03/2013 19:52:21

This Portfolio takes us on an unforgettable journey across the Mediterranean. From the Tuscan hillsides to the plains of Andalusia, from the cobbled streets of Athens to the shores of the Aegean, reaching the coasts of Asia Minor and the minarets of Istanbul, then passing through Palestine and Israel, without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Lesvos. We will discover the secrets of the olive tree, a symbol of life and spirit of peace in these Mediterranean regions since thousands of years. Our modern-day Odyssey takes us to beautiful towns and picturesque villages where ancient sites witness unforgettable rituals, all of which are linked in some way or other to the olive tree, to its culture and its trade. These celebrations represent the essence of its history and way of life and capture the beautiful allure of the Mediterranean Dream. At every stage along this journey, we will look for best olive oils, delicious recipes and unknown details of the Mediterranean diet. But the films will also cover agronomical, ecological and spiritual aspects. And we will bear in mind the symbolic value of the olive branch and the mythology behind it. The narrative of each film is build around a universal theme related to the olive culture and trade, brought to life by passionate characters whose everyday lives we will share and whose fabulous stories we will discover. For the very first time these regions and themes explored are knit together (in full HD) to create a comprehensive mosaic: the Olive Route, rich in detail, colourful in scope and astonishing in meaning. It is not simply a geographical path, but a bridge connecting people socially and passionately, beyond all races, beliefs and origins: it carves out the surprising heritage they have in common, the Olive Route creates a Med identity.

Part 4: The Olive Tree in the Holy Land

On the Olive Route, we'll make a stopover in the Middle East, in a part of the Mediterranean that is often referred to as the Holy Land. Of course, a visit to Jerusalem is called for, with the districts of the old town and the emblematic religious sites: the Wailing Wall, the Stations of the Cross and the Dome of the Rock. The olive tree is referred to as a sacred tree in each of the holy texts: the Torah, the Bible and the Koran. Only in Jerusalem and its surrounding area do the three monotheistic religions meet in such a poignant way. In Al-Walaji, eight kilometres from Jerusalem, we'll meet Salah, a Palestinian Muslim, who is the guardian of a 5000 year old olive tree, now at risk due to the construction of the Separation Barrier. In Bethlehem, we will meet Johnny Handel, an Arab Christian and carpenter working with olive wood. In the North of Jerusalem in the Talmon colony, Chezky Betzalel, a Jewish settler will open to us the door of his house and olive grove. Finally, close to Bethlehem again we will meet a Palestinian Christian, Daoud, whose olive grove is now surrounded by six colonies and his family threatened by eviction. Helped by the Rabbi Arik Asherman, Daoud tries to make the extremists understand that his intentions are just and peaceful. Meeting passionate olive growers in the Holy Land will help us understand that here the olive tree symbolises a powerful connection to the lans, that planting as well as uprooting or destroying an olive tree is a political act. It is as if the olive tree here has become a hostage, a weapon, and nothing could be further from the one of peace that it plays in the sacred writings of the three religions.