Munich (Arte): Why did this Steven Spielberg movie anger the Israeli government?

On September 5, 1972, eight Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group took hostage of eleven Israeli athletes who would perish in the final attack. Five terrorists were killed, the other three were arrested. The Mossad (Israeli secret services) then begins a relentless hunt for the alleged sponsors of the attack. The operation is called Wrath of God.

A race against time

In the late 90’s, the director Schindler’s ListFascinated by great historical dramas, Canadian journalist devours George Jonas’ book, Revenge, dedicated to the mission of Wrath of God. Steven Spielberg bought the rights and, after three years of hesitation, added filmmaking to his schedule in 2005: then war of the worlds, with Tom Cruise, the summer blockbuster Munich Fixed for December. Therefore, everything must be finalized within six months! ” My editor and I had to put together the scenes during filming.says Spielberg. When I was on set, he was editing a TV series that was shot two days ago. He showed it to me in the evening, then a copy was sent to composer John Williams (to whom we owe the music). Star wars, editor’s note) and another to the sound effects manager. »

A “Bondian” cast

Eric Bana (Hulk, Heatwave) He owes his solid build to the agent in charge of this mission, Avner Kaufman, who, full of doubts and questions, will eventually slam the door of the secret services. Among the commando members, we will recognize Daniel Craig, who will wear the James Bond tuxedo the following year. Casino Royaleand Mathieu Kassovitz as mine clearance specialist. And, coincidentally, the French indicators of the Mossad were camped by the future rival of Bond, Mathieu Amalric. quantum of consolation (2008) and Michael Lonsdale, aka Hugo Drax, the “bad guy” moon hunter (1979), starring Roger Moore.

a controversial view

The script skips a blunder by Israeli agents who killed an innocent Moroccan in Norway. On the other hand, the scene in which a terrorist was shot and killed by two agents dressed as women, including Ehud Barak, who will become Prime Minister in 1999, reflects the reality. The Israeli government will still file a criminal complaint. Misrepresentation of how Mossad works” and will add: Spielberg should make a movie with dinosaurs! “The director had just met many of the people who were likely to enlighten him on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, from Bill Clinton to former diplomat Dennis Ross, and met the real Avner Kaufman.” Steven is neither a historian nor a politician.commented producer Kathleen Kennedy. He needed to deepen the political question, to realize that he had not mastered it, in order to construct his own point of view. »

Munich It can be viewed at Arte this Sunday at 20:55.

Pascal Pinteau