Without memory, destruction replaces thought. Only through memory and reflection can we escape the circularity of history, making each of us responsible by placing ourselves within a historical whole. Art is essential to preserving memory and resisting colonisation and barbarism.
In these times of war and genocide, as an international film festival, we believe it is our duty to remember and reflect on the history and current situation of Palestine, while celebrating its contemporary artists. Along with screenings of several films, we will welcome guests such as
Leila Shahid, Elias Sanbar, Simone Bitton, Elia Suleiman, Mariam Said and Dima Mohammed. We will also host a night of poetry, moderated by Shahd Wadi, with reading of poems by Mahmoud Darwish, Edward Said (read by his wife Mariam Said), and many other Palestinian poets, from the anthology If I Must Die – Poetry of Palestinian Resistance – 21st Century, Traça Edições; the exhibitions ‘In-Between’, by the Gazan artist Khaled Jarada, and ‘They Are Shooting at Our Shadows’, by Al-Haq’s FAI Unit; lastly, the concert Make Freedom Ring – Concert for Palestine, raising funds for Médecins Sans Frontières’ Regional Fund for the Occupied Palestinian Territories and neighbouring countries affected by the conflict.
Sessions
Mémoires de Palestine, Serge le Péron, 2023 – Followed by a conversation with director Simone Bitton, Leila Shahid and Elias Sanbar
DANEY - SANBAR, Conversation Nord Sud, Simone Bitton, 1991 – Followed by a conversation with director Simone Bitton and Elias Sanbar
Mur, Simone Bitton, 2004 – Followed by a conversation with director Simone Bitton and Leila Shahid
Arna's Children, Juliano Mer Khamis, 2004 - Carte blanche to Dima Mohammed – Followed by a conversation with Dima Mohammed and Camila Lobo.
Kafr Kassem, Borhane Alaouié, 1975
Junction 48, Udi Aloni, 2016 – Followed by a conversation with director Udi Aloni and Rasha Nahas.
Knowledge is the Beginning, Paul Smaczny, 2005 – Followed by a conversation with Mariam Said, Michael Barenboim, and Tyme Khleifi.
Wedding in Galilee, Michel Khleifi, 1987
Mahmoud Darwish: As the land is the Language, Simone Bitton, 1997 – Screening will take place as part of the Night of Poetry.
Conversation between Alexandra Lucas Coelho and Nida Ibrahim.