Persona Non Grata (2003)

Persona Non Grata is a 2003 documentary directed by Oliver Stone for HBO's America Undercover series, offering a firsthand account of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a tense period in March 2002 amid the Second Intifada. Stone and his crew navigate checkpoints and curfews in Jerusalem and the West Bank, conducting interviews with key figures including Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, who discusses peace negotiations and siege conditions; Israeli Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing security threats and settlement policies; and Shimon Peres on diplomatic efforts. The 67-minute film also features perspectives from Hamas militants, Al-Aqsa Brigade members, and ordinary residents, capturing daily violence such as suicide bombings and military incursions, while highlighting the human cost on both sides through footage of destroyed homes, refugee camps, and civilian hardships. Stone's on-camera presence underscores the challenges of access and neutrality, providing a raw, immersive portrayal of stalled diplomacy and escalating mutual distrust.