Timely ‘Torn’ Sheds New Perspective on Shocking Protests

You’d expect a film focused on Israeli hostages to take sides in the Middle East conflict.

“Torn” does, to a degree.

It’s also sympathetic to those who see posters of the kidnapped civilians as propaganda.

To a degree.

Truth matters, and it’s hard sympathizing with those eager to call for violence, intimidation and outright bigotry. It’s to “Torn’s” credit that the filmmakers broaden the story’s scope. They also couldn’t deny reality.

Many people tearing down those heart-tugging posters have hate in their hearts.

The documentary introduces us to two pro-Israeli protesters who leaned on street art following October 7. They created posters of kidnapped civilians, akin to old-school milk cartoons featuring the portraits of missing children.

Except some of the kidnapped souls were infants.

Their simple act of defiance started out small. They initially wondered if they had misjudged the moment. Within days, social media spread the message. Hundreds, maybe thousands, joined their cause across the globe.

The Big Apple became Ground Zero for the poster movement.

Suddenly, you couldn’t go far without seeing their handiwork. And it didn’t take long for pro-Palestinian forces to declare war on their efforts.

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“Torn” examines that seemingly unthinkable reaction. What could have been a jeremiad against anyone who did just that becomes a complicated look at protest in the 21st century.

Yes, we see thuggish souls ripping down posters and cursing anyone recording their actions. Many wear masks and shout anti-Semitic curses.

Others decry how little attention is paid to Palestinians in harm’s way. The latter point hits home in “Torn.” Some of the most ardent pro-Israeli voices in the film are willing to listen.

So is director Nim Shapira, who refuses to ignore the other side of the argument. Shapira doesn’t take the partisan bait, either. He keeps U.S. politics mostly out of the frame.

A few exceptions are noteworthy.

We see former Biden spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre refuse to condemn those tearing down the hostage posters. And, twice, we see President Donald Trump in connection with pro-Israeli measures.

The discipline is impressive given how the two parties have reacted to both October 7 and its aftermath. The team behind “Torn,” much like the recent “October 8,” avoids political infighting.

We meet people connected to the hostages as well as Jewish intellectuals who share provocative takes on the subject. Some argue that to “cancel” those who tear down posters only restricts public debate.

Others are critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Some personal tales prove powerful beyond words. A Jewish shopowner shares her attempts to keep the posters outside of her jewelry story intact. Day after day, vandals tear them down, until a confrontation with pro-Palestinian protesters turns violent.

What are the odds?

Her anger and, later, sense of defeat speaks to how far the Big Apple has fallen.

Shapira’s camera can only provide so much balance. The number of pro-Palestinian forces resorting to unfettered bigotry and violence speaks volumes.

The documentary can’t help but let the truth have the final say.

“Torn” is handsomely produced and never devolves into groupthink. It’s also a necessary part of a conversation that should be happening stateside and beyond.

HiT or Miss: “Torn” delivers a sobering look at a topic many would assume offers black-and-white answers.

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