The Green Prince

"The Green Prince" was the code name for Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of high-ranking Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, who spied for Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet for over a decade. It's also the title of Nadav Schirman's vivid, intriguing documentary, winner of Sundance's Documentary Audience Award in 2014.

Based on Mosab's memoir, the film focuses on interviews with him and his Shin Bet handler, Gonen Ben Yitzhak, who recruited the son when he was an angry, anti-Israel teen, and includes archival footage and recreations.

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat brokered a regional peace agreement in 1993. Two years later, Rabin was assassinated, fueling extremism on both sides and kick-starting Hamas, the violent Palestinian Islamic resistance movement that targeted military and civilian targets alike.

Sheikh was imprisoned, as was Mosab, who was told "welcome to the slaughterhouse" during his initial interrogation and torture. But the young man observed Hamas torturing their own in their segregated prison section, making other members crank TVs and sing during the sessions to drown out the screams.

Witnessing Hamas' cruelty up close, as well as dealing with "the monster called shame" after he was raped, Mosab was convinced to spy on his father's cronies from the inside (as well as keep him safe from Israeli assassination). Mosab became "addicted to the action" and lived up to his title and reputation as a prince. Gonen was at first wary of his young charge, because "a traitor is like an infection," reminding himself "a source is not a friend but a potential enemy."

However, the two became close and a father-son relationship developed because Mosab wasn't making a lot of money; he was "paying a different price," in worry, fear and living a lie with everybody he knew.

Because of his concern and care for Mosab, Gonen lost his Shin Bet job. Mosab was highly mistrusted by his new handler, so he flew to San Diego to apply for political asylum. The US government considered him a terrorist, so he went to the media with his story to gain public support. Gonen flew to the States to testify on Mosab's behalf, "passing geographical as well as mental borders" to help the friend who had been disavowed by his family.

The story is harrowing, the narrative is disturbing, and the movie is necessary as Gaza is in the news yet again. "I hope the region learns from our story," Gonen says. "People should trust, and build instead of destroy."

For screening information, visit www.musicboxfilms.com/the-green-prince-movies-107.php