Palestine in the Cinema (2): Memory and Identity by Qays al-Zubaydi / فلسطين في السينما (2): ذاكرة وهوية

This new book, meticulously documented by Qais Al-Zubaidi, declares the “universality of the Palestinian question today” by analyzing the new generation of documentary and short films on Palestine. This “universality” is demonstrated by the works of multi-national directors from Italy, Germany, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Palestine, Poland, USA, Spain, Norway. Also analyzed are films produced by Palestinians in Nablus, Ramallah, Gaza, and Jerusalem. If daily life is a repository of artistic forms, then the daily life of Palestinians is a repository of forms of repression, defiance, agony and steadfastness. Palestinians have varying modes of life captured by the camera. These modes of living as a Palestinian are also captured by film-makers and contended with by novelists, historians, and short story writers. Qais asks, while pursuing the “encyclopedia of Palestinian sorrow”, how does the life of trapped Palestinians inside their own country and outside it looks like? What is the meaning of art if it is not a weapon of truth? What can cinematic art provide for a people long deprived from stability and long-range dreams?

Institute of Palestine Studies

Year: 2019

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