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The film screening will be followed by a discussion with the audience (film director will not be present). Screening will start at 12:00 Noon US EST; 7:00 PM Palestine Time. Duration: 46 minutes. Arabic with English subtitles, 1998.
More than 350,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon, 15,000 of them in
the refugee camp of Shatila in Beirut. Through the eyes of two children who
live in this camp, Issa and Farah, this documentary explores the
determination to keep family and dreams thriving in a landscape that has
been sculpted by war, poverty, grief and displacement.
Issa, a little boy who lives with his grandfather, sustained severe
injuries when he was hit by a speeding car and has trouble learning in
school. Farah lives with her parents and two sisters. The children's
memories and history are shaped by the violence that surrounds them. Both
have lost family in the massacres and attacks that followed the 1948
Diaspora and the 1982 invasion of Lebanon by Israel. An aunt was
decapitated, an uncle shot - every family and friend they know has lost
someone to the violence.
The filmmaker gives Issa and Farah a small video camera to film their lives
and learn how they see their own world. Both children start asking their
elders how they felt about leaving Palestine. When queried about what he
wants to tell the new generation of Palestinians, an old man asks that
Palestine must never be forgotten. "Promise me that," he tells the
children.
The poverty of Shatila offers little escape. Farah's mother says that when
her children tell her their dreams she feels "awkward and afraid to shock
them with the truth," and wonders about the kind of future that lies ahead.
Yet both children inspire viewers with their ability to keep their hearts
and minds open. Farah tells a nursery class, "Imagining is the main thing,
even if you only draw a bird." And Issa has a wonderful dream where he is a
prince.
While the focus is on the lives of children, this documentary is not
suitable for younger children. It is appropriate for mature young adults,
and university and community audiences interested in learning about the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, life in the refugee camps, and the lasting
effects of war.
About the Director
MAI MASRI is a palestinian filmmaker who has directed and produced many
award winning films that have been broadcast on more than 100 television
stations around the world. She earned her Bachelor's degree in film from
San Francisco State University and together with her husband, filmmaker
JEAN CHAMOUN produced a series of films that have won over international
awards.
Source: Palestine Cinema