YOU know a performance has to be special when a Palestinian wins Israel’s version of the Best Actress Oscar. But why should politics detract from a stunning performance?
The actress is Hiam Abbass, star of “Lemon Tree,” by Israeli director Eran Riklis. Abbass portrays Salma, a lonely widow whose 50-year-old lemon grove faces extinction.
She has long lived pleasantly on the border between Israel and the West Bank, tenderly tending to her lemons, until a new neighbor — the Israeli defense minister, no less — moves in.
His surly bodyguards take one look at the grove and insist it has to go, lest terrorists use it to launch an attack. “It is a real and imminent threat,” one intones.
But Salma, a proud woman, is not about to give in without a brawl. She hires a much younger lawyer (their relationship turns sexual) and takes her case to the country’s top court.
She gains an unlikely ally in the person of the minister’s wife (Rona Lipaz-Michael), who develops a silent bond with the woman on the other side of the security fence.
Her right-wing husband isn’t pleased — but does anyone think he would be?
Returning to the themes in his 2004 drama “The Syrian Bride,” Riklis lets it be known through his film that he’s not happy with the current political situation, especially policies affecting confiscation.
The defense minister (Doron Tavory) comes across as a male chauvinist, as do most of the men on both sides of the border. But Riklis doesn’t preach as much as imply.
Still, his daring message comes across loud and clear.
vam@nypost.com
LEMON TREE
Lemon aid.
In Arabic, Hebrew and English, with English subtitles. Running time: 106 minutes. Not rated (mature themes). At the IFC Center and the Lincoln Plaza.