‘Beyond politics’ aim for Palestinian Film Festival
Think Palestine, think politics – the mantra is heavy-set amongst diplomats the world over. But what about filmmakers?
Naser Shakhtour is determined to cast things in a different light, if only briefly. He is one of the driving forces behind the Palestinian Film Festival, which comes to Palace Norton Street Cinema from Thursday, October 29. After a highly successful debut season, the Festival features internationally-acclaimed, award-winning films, with the aim of portraying the lives, stories and culture which form a part of everyday Palestinian life.
“Originally we established Cultural Media with the aim of promoting cultural understanding between the Arab world and Australia,” Mr Shakhtour said. “We thought Palestine is a tragic situation and we thought that could best be communicated by filmmakers.”
One of the themes running throughout many Palestinian films is a focus on social lives. “There is a bit of focus on how difficult it is,” Mr Shakhtour admitted. “But I guess we’re trying to get away from the politics and towards depictions of everyday life. It’s actually inspiring when you see the films.”
They include the 2009 Cannes-selected film, The Time That Remains, written and directed by celebrated filmmaker Elias Suleiman. Presented with overtones of the director’s trademark black humour, it is the Festival’s opening film. Also acclaimed is Najwa Najjar’s Pomegranates and Myrrh, which tells the story of dancer Kamar’s joyful wedding to Zaid, followed almost immediately by Zaid’s imprisonment in an Israeli jail for refusing to give up his land. Making a return to the big screen after its huge popularity last year, meanwhile, is the documentary Slingshot Hip Hop, which tells the story of Palestinian rappers forming alternative voices of resistance via music.
The 2009 Palestinian Film Festival runs until Sunday, November 1. The program includes features, documentaries, animations and short films; visit www.palestinianfilmfestival.com.au for program details.
