2007 Pittsburgh Palestine Film Festival
Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity Committee presents five films followed by moderated discussions. Please join us in this journey to learn and seek a glimpse of what it means to be a Palestinian.
June 14 - July 12, 2007.
Thurs. June 14 Arna's Children | Thurs. June 21 Just Married
Sat. June 30th Ground Truth | Thurs. July 5 Occupation 101
Thurs. July 12 The Iron Wall
Thurs. June 14, 7:00pm
ARNA'S CHILDREN
This film tells the story of a theatre group that was established by Arna Mer Khamis. Born Jewish, she married a Palestinian and spent her life campaigning for human rights. In the Jenin refugee camp, Arna opened a theatre where, with her son Juliano, she taught children to express themselves through art. Arna's son Juliano, director of this film, was also one of the directors of Jenin's theatre. With his camera, he filmed the children during rehearsal periods from 1989 to 1996. Now, he goes back to see what happened to them.
"Contains amazingly candid views of warriors behind the scenes of
battles"-Christian Science Monitor
"The film provides a rare glimpse into the other side of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and serves as a chilling reminder that the
hostilities aren't about to end anytime soon." - New York Daily News
Location: East Liberty Presbyterian Church
116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh
Tickets: $10 suggested donation
Thurs. June 21, 7:00pm
JUST MARRIED
The theme of Just Married, by director Ayelet Bechar, is Israel's discriminatory family reunification process, which has been frozen since 2003. Because no unification applications are currently being accepted, Palestinians from the occupied West Bank (excluding Jerusalem, which Israel illegally annexed in 1967) and Gaza Strip who marry Israeli citizens or residents are unable to legally live with their spouses in Israel or occupied East Jerusalem.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, 100 Porter Hall,
100 Frew Street (Across from Flagstaff Hill, near Frew St.)
Discussion Moderated by: Lina Yassin
Tickets: $10 suggested donation
Sat. June 30, 1:30pm
GROUND TRUTH
The filmmaker's subjects are patriotic, ordinary men and women who heeded the call for military service in Iraq—as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities. The terrible conflict in Iraq is a prelude for the even more challenging battles fought by the soldiers returning home—with personal demons, an uncomprehending public, and an indifferent government. As these battles take shape, each soldier becomes a new kind of hero, bearing witness and giving support to other veterans.
Location: First Unitarian Church, 605 Morewood Ave., Pittsburgh (Shadyside)
Discussion Moderated by: Paul Abernathy,
Iraq Vets Against the War
Tickets: $10 suggested donation
Thurs. July 5, 7:00pm
OCCUPATION 101
A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film covers a wide range of topics which include the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's; the 1920 tensions; the 1948 war; the 1967 war; the first Intifada of 1987; the Oslo Peace Process; Settlement expansion; the role of the United States Government; the second Intifada of 2000; the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza; as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, 100 Porter Hall,
100 Frew Street (Across from Flagstaff Hill, near Frew St.)
Thurs. Jul 12, 7:00pm
THE IRON WALL
The Iron Wall documentary exposes and follows the timeline, size, population of the settlements, and its impact on the peace process. This film also touches on the latest project to make the settlements a permanent fact on the ground; the wall that Israel is building in the West Bank and its impact on the Palestinian people.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, 100 Porter Hall,
100 Frew Street (Across from Flagstaff Hill, near Frew St.)
Discussion Moderated by: Mongezi Nkomo,
Azania Heritage International
Tickets: $10 suggested donation
