Movie spotlight

Leila Khaled: Hijacker

Name: Leila Khaled: Hijacker
Released: 2005-11-30
Duration: 58 min

2005

Movie

58 min

English

Leila Khaled was the first woman to hijack a plane. In 1969, she showed her grenades to the terrified passengers by order of the Che Guevara commando unit of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Through the ensuing media bombardment, she put the Palestinian nation on the global map. The pretty 24-year-old Leila became a hero to many Palestinians, including the Swedish/Palestinian teenager Lina Makboul, who is now a filmmaker. At least Leila dared to do something, Lina thought at the time. She visits Leila 35 years later with a camera, and finds a woman who does not regret anything.

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IMDb6.4/10

Director: Lina Makboul•Genres: Documentary, Biography, History

Plot Summary

This documentary revisits the life of Leila Khaled, a Palestinian activist and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). It chronicles her journey from her youth in Haifa to her involvement in international hijackings in the 1970s, focusing on her motivations and the political context of the time. The film explores her transformation into a symbol of Palestinian resistance and her later life as an advocate for Palestinian rights.

Critical Reception

As a documentary, "Leila Khaled: Hijacker" has been recognized for its historical significance and its role in presenting a complex political figure. It has been screened at various film festivals and discussed in academic circles for its exploration of Palestinian history and the broader context of political activism and resistance.

What Reviewers Say

Offers a rare personal perspective on a controversial historical figure.
Provides valuable historical context for understanding Palestinian activism.
Raises questions about the portrayal of political figures in documentary filmmaking.

Google audience: Audience reviews are generally focused on the historical and political aspects of the documentary. Viewers often comment on Leila Khaled's conviction and the complexities of the Palestinian struggle, with discussions frequently highlighting the film's ability to provoke thought and debate.