Read this Letter to Palestinian and Lebanese filmmakers from Israeli filmmakers.
We, the undersigned Israeli filmmakers, greet the Arab filmmakers who have gathered in Paris for the Arab Film Biennial. Through you, we wish to convey a message of camaraderie and solidarity with our Lebanese and Palestinian colleagues who are currently besieged and bombarded by our country's army.
We unequivocally oppose the brutality and cruelty of Israeli policy, which has reached new heights in recent weeks. Nothing justifies the continued occupation, closure, and oppression in Palestine. Nothing justifies the bombing of civilians and the destruction of infrastructures in Lebanon and Gaza.
Allow us to tell you that your films, which we try to see and circulate among us, are extremely important in our eyes. They enable us to know and understand you better. Thanks to these films, the men, women, and children who suffer in Gaza, Beirut, and everywhere else our army exercises its violence - have names and faces. We would like to thank you and encourage you to keep on filming, despite the difficulties.
For our part, we will continue to express through our films, with our raised voices, and in our personal actions our vehement opposition to the occupation, and we will continue to express our desire for freedom, justice, and equality among all the peoples of the region.
Nurith Aviv, Ilil Alexander, Adi Arbel, Yael Bartana, Philippe Bellaiche, Simone Bitton, Michale Boganim, Amit Breuer, Shai Carmeli-Pollack, Sami S. Chetrit, Danae Elon, Anat Even, Jack Faber, Avner Fainguelernt, Ari Folman, Gali Gold, BZ Goldberg, Sharon Hamou, Amir Harel, Avraham Heffner, Rachel Leah Jones, Dalia Karpel, Avi Kleinberger, Elonor Kowarsky, Edna Kowarsky, Philippa Kowarsky, Ram Loevi, Avi Mograbi, Jud Neeman, David Ofek, Iris Rubin, Abraham Segal, Nurith Shareth, Julie Shlez, Eyal Sivan, Yael Shavit, Eran Torbiner, Osnat Trabelsi, Daniel Waxman, Keren Yedaya
Wow.
Thanks to Rockslinga for the tip.
Who’s who in Palestinian cinema
Eye Magazine
Hany Abu Assad
Lives and works in the Netherlands. Most well-known for this acclaimed film “Paradise Now” which was nominated for and Oscar and won the Golden Globes. Abu-Assad’s work is humorous and engaging.
Tawfiq Abu Wael
Lives and works in Tel Aviv. Abu Wael’s work is quiet, little dialogue and a very strong visual style. His work deals with rural life and patriarchy. One of the most “visual” of the filmmakers.
Annemarie Jacir
Lives and works in Ramallah. The only female working in fiction, her work is controversial, intelligent, with a strong visual and cinematic eye. Her work deals with borders, movement and class.
Michel Khleifi
Lives and works in Belgium. One of the first Palestinian filmmakers, though he has little recent work. His films focus on gender and self-identity.
Rashid Mashrawi
Lives and works between Paris and Ramallah. Raised in Gaza, began working in film production in Tel Aviv. Masharawi, one of the most original of the filmmakers, works in documentary, fiction and art installation/experimental video. He produces work often, always showing diversity and freshness.
Mai Masri.
Lives and works in Beirut. Masri is one of the earliest and most important documentary filmmakers. Honest, passionate and heart-felt. Her work deals with war and the flight of the Palestinian refugees.
Elia Suleiman
Lives and works in Paris. The most well known of all the filmmakers receiving awards from across the globe. His work is intelligent, dark-humored, resembles Jacques Tati at his best. A distinct visual style and has added meaning to the idea of the vignette.
Sameh Zoabi
Lives and works in New York. The “Hollywood” filmmaker of the Palestinian scene. One short film to date which received attention in Cannes. His work is conventional, reflects an American-style of storytelling, and light.
Posted by: Kutta | February 15, 2007 at 02:15 PM