It Must Be Heaven (2019)

Introduction to "It Must Be Heaven"
"It Must Be Heaven" is a 2019 globally co-produced film directed by the acclaimed Palestinian director Elia Suleiman. The film is a comedic and observational exploration of identity, citizenship, and belonging. It blends fiction with reality through a semi-autobiographical approach, as Suleiman himself plays the lead function. Known for his distinct filmmaking design, the director utilizes visual storytelling, thoughtful humor, and very little discussion to review the absurdities of every day life across different cultures.

Synopsis
The movie follows Elia Suleiman as he embarks on a global journey that takes him from his native Palestine to various Western nations, primarily Paris and New York City, searching for a brand-new place to call home. Throughout his travels, Suleiman remains a silent observer, nearly a Buster Keaton-like figure, seeing a series of vignettes that cleverly juxtapose the surreal versus the ordinary.

Styles and Observations
At its heart, "It Must Be Heaven" is a reflection on the principle of homeland and the universally-shared experiences that transcend geographical borders. Suleiman's observations typically focus on the absurdity of every day life, the omnipresence of political and social issues, and the idea that maybe there is no such thing as a perfect place to live. He utilizes recurring concepts, such as the presence of police officers or the absurd enforcement of order, to underline this point.

Despite feeling like an outsider in each new area, the director discovers that the concerns he intended to leave from in Palestine, such as the presence of military and monitoring, have their equivalents in the Western world. The satire unfolds as Suleiman keeps in mind the degree to which countries that take pride in liberty and democracy contend with their own ranges of control and mayhem.

Design and Cinematic Approach
Elia Suleiman's style is marked by long, fixed shots, which let the scenes breathe and establish nearly theatrically as Suleiman himself observes with a deadpan expression. Discussion is utilized moderately, putting focus on visual comedy and allowing the physicality and facial expressions of the characters to inform the story. This method draws the audience into the movie's observational nature, welcoming them to share Suleiman's point of view and reflect on the absurdities he notices.

The cinematography, with its magnificently made up frames, plays a vital role in conveying the film's messages, typically turning everyday scenes into tableaux vivants that expose a subtle, universal truth about human behavior.

Crucial Reception and Impact
"It Must Be Heaven" received vital recognition following its opening night at the Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or and won the FIPRESCI Prize. Critics praised the film for its unique storytelling, humor, and poignant commentary on the human condition.

The movie has actually been lauded for its ability to foster empathy and provoke discussion on what it implies to come from a location. Suleiman's personal journey of looking for sanctuary and his awareness that aspects of his Palestinian identity follow him all over challenge audiences to consider their concepts of citizenship and the ways in which everyone is connected by shared experiences.

Conclusion
Elia Suleiman's "It Must Be Heaven" is a skillful work that combines artful filmmaking with political and social observation. Through a series of funny, yet poignant, vignettes experienced during an individual mission for belonging, Suleiman offers a meditation on identity and homeland that resonates on a universal level. With its unique mix of satire, visual storytelling, and minimal dialogue, the movie stands as an engaging and thought-provoking piece that motivates audiences to discover common ground in our shared human absurdities, no matter where we remain in the world.

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