More than 100 people gathered at Birch Community Centre for a screening of an award-winning documentary offering insight into life in Gaza during the Second Intifada.
The community centre was full of people from all ages and backgrounds who attended the screening of ‘With Hasan in Gaza.’
Directed by Kamal Aljafari, the film draws on video footage he recorded in 2001, when he travelled to Gaza in search of a man he had met in prison. The footage offers a raw, personal record of everyday life in Gaza during the Second Intifada (2000–2005).
One of the organisers of the screening was Emeritus Professor in media and culture at Sheffield Hallam university – Anandi Ramamurthy. She is also a member of Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine.
Anandi said: “We feel it is important to make Palestinian films better known. Many Palestinian filmmakers have been concerned about preserving history, preserving the archive and using film as a tool of resistance.”
Filmlabs which promote Palestinian cinema, was set up 10 years ago with the aim of supporting the development of film culture in Palestine. Prior to their existence most of the media that came out of Palestine was news.
“Palestinian cinema is dear to my heart,” Anandi said. “So, I am privileged to organise screenings to bring Palestinian cinema to the people of Manchester.
“Documentaries within Palestinian cinema are important because Palestinians have sought to preserve their history, their culture and to say to the world ‘I am still here’”
An attendee, Paul, from Oldham, said: “I have been following Palestine as it has always been an important cause to me. It’s great to have a perspective from this filmmaker.
“We don’t really see these personal perspectives often. We get a very filtered view through the news.
“People in Gaza are going through horrific things and oppression, and we can’t find the empathy for them. Films like these really help to humanise them.
“We see children on the screen growing up and trying to find joy in life under brutal occupation,” he added. “You see them dealing with these horrific conditions. I wish I could do more to help.”
Local councillor and chair of Oldham Green Party Syed Shams was visibly moved as he reflected on the children featured in the documentary, imagining his own daughter in their position.
“It’s horrific and terrifying. As I watched, I kept thinking of my daughter as the child in the movie.
“This documentary is very important because it tells us what is happening on the ground. It also raises awareness, and I would encourage everyone to watch and share it.
“Take every action you can in your ability. Boycott. March. Protest.”
Comments (0)
Comments are moderated before publishing. Links and abusive language are not allowed.
No approved comments yet.