SYNOPSIS
In 1969, a European airline was hijacked by two members of the Che Guevara Commando Unit of the Popular Front fighting for the liberation of Palestine. One was 24-year-old Leila Khaled who became a national hero to the Palestinians as well as a blacklisted international terrorist.
30 years later, a Palestinian-Swede, Lina Makboul heads to Palestine in search of Leila Khaled. For Lina, who wished for the Palestinians to regain the land of their ancestors, Leila had been an icon and a role model. However, Lina, who upon reaching her thirties had become skeptical of the hijacking Leila had led, asks Leila some probing questions during their interview: Do you think the Palestinians were branded in a negative way due to the terrorist attack; is violence such as terrorism a justifiable means for liberation; do you regret participating in such terrorist actions, etc.
Through an unveiling the airline hijacker, Leila Khaled, we come to learn that she is not a violent monster but a normal, charismatic person. The terrorist, whom outsiders perceived her as, was a hero and a warrior to her people, a mother to a family and a warm-hearted, yet decisive woman. This documentary, with touches of black comedy, sheds light on terrorism and the troubles in the Middle-East from a woman¡¯s perspective. (Kim Sun-ah)
PROGRAM NOTE
In 1969, a European airline was hijacked by two members of the Che Guevara Commando Unit of the Popular Front fighting for the liberation of Palestine. One was 24-year-old Leila Khaled who became a national hero to the Palestinians as well as a blacklisted international terrorist.
30 years later, a Palestinian-Swede, Lina Makboul heads to Palestine in search of Leila Khaled. For Lina, who wished for the Palestinians to regain the land of their ancestors, Leila had been an icon and a role model. However, Lina, who upon reaching her thirties had become skeptical of the hijacking Leila had led, asks Leila some probing questions during their interview: Do you think the Palestinians were branded in a negative way due to the terrorist attack; is violence such as terrorism a justifiable means for liberation; do you regret participating in such terrorist actions, etc.
Through an unveiling the airline hijacker, Leila Khaled, we come to learn that she is not a violent monster but a normal, charismatic person. The terrorist, whom outsiders perceived her as, was a hero and a warrior to her people, a mother to a family and a warm-hearted, yet decisive woman. This documentary, with touches of black comedy, sheds light on terrorism and the troubles in the Middle-East from a woman¡¯s perspective. (Kim Sun-ah)