SAN FRANCISCO, April 18th
The Arab Film Festival co-presents with Project Peace Through Understanding and General Union of Palestinian Students:
Selected Short Films from the 2007 Arab Film Festival
Friday, April 18th, 2008, 7:30 PM
Rigoberta Menchu Hall at San Francisco State University
Free Screening
Qater Al Nada by Muayad Alayan
(2007, Palestine, 25 min)
In Beit Safafa, the only remaining Palestinian neighborhood in Israeli West Jerusalem, olive and almond fields are threatened just like the people by the politics of the occupation. The village’s Dabka dance group, Qater Al Nada, was established by a group of youth to bring back the Palestinian heritage and culture to the narrow streets, village weddings, and dance festivals, carrying the story of Beit Safafa to Palestine and the world.
Staying Alive by Zeina Aboulhosn and Anne De Mo
(2006, Lebanon, 8 min)
A sequel to Zeid’s Little Bomb, this short film follows the same punk rock band The New Government as they prepare for a concert in Beirut, in July 2006, despite the state of war with Israel.
I Remember Lebanon by Zeina Aboulhosn
2006 | Lebanon/UK | 6 min
A journey through memories of Beirut, filmed by Zeina Aboulhosn who was visiting Lebanon just before the bombs started falling. A chance to meet a new generation of young Lebanese.
Ashura: Blood and Beauty by Katia Saleh
(2006, Lebanon/UK, 20 min)
Winner of the 2007 Noor Award-Short Film Competition
Following the biggest Shia ceremony in South Lebanon over three years, this contemporary look at the 1300-year-old Ashura Muslim ritual shows that a mix of modernity and tradition in Lebanon has made Ashura a platform for young people to meet each other. This short documentary reveals a side to Ashura that the world has not yet seen, a side that is not bloody and violent but rather ambiguous and compelling.
Beirut: All Flights Cancelled by Katia Saleh
(2006, Lebanon/UK, 22 min)
Filmed during the last war in Lebanon in July 2006, this personal journey focuses on the state of mind of three different generations who experienced war in the past and who were once again caught under the state of siege. This intimate look at the effects of the war reveals aspects of the conflict seldom shown by war reporters in the media.
Sour by Nathan Gray
(2007, USA, 50 min)
A group of Israeli and Jordanian skaters jump borders and culture barriers to share a united passion for skateboarding. Shot in neighboring countries Jordan and Israel during the Israel/Lebanon conflict of last year, Sour aims to captures a unique perspective missing from news reports about the region, by putting the camera into the hands of local youth with little or no prior experience in making a film. This very process helps showcase acts of peaceful rebellion, community action, and outreach that unify people who would otherwise never meet.
The total Running Time: 2hours 11min
