MONDAY OCTOBER 27th 7h30.
Concordia University
room H-110. 1455 de maisonneuve
metro Guy-Concordia

including screening of the Edge of Hope a documentary on a Palestinian journalist with Al-Jazeera working under Israeli occupation…

A film screening presented at Concordia University in Montreal, which will feature striking cinematic works on the Middle East. A striking documentary from Montreal filmmaker Mary-Ellen Davis that captures the life and work of photojournalist Larry Towell, from Mexico to Palestine, with the globally celebrated Magnum photo agency and a striking documentary film from Germany that conicals the life and work of a Palestinian journalist with Aljazeera working under Israeli occupation. Both films examine the critical role of media within the context of the reality of Israeli apartheid.

TERRITORIES
a film from Mary Ellen Davis / Canada / 2007 / 64 min

A giant in the world of documentary photography, Larry Towell has garnered several top-level honors, including the 2005 Priz Nadar and the first Henri Cartier-Bresson Award. This program follows Towell as he uses his camera to confront foreboding landscapes and shed light on struggling communities—drawing parallels between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border. Towell also reflects on the creative process, offers insight into the photojournalist’s trade, and describes his experiences as an eyewitness to the 9/11 attack on New York City. His thoughtful commentary accompanies numerous examples of his work.

THE EDGE OF HOPE
a film from Gerd Schneider / Germany/Palestine / 2006 / 52 min

With the disengagement of the Jewish settlers on 17th April 2005 begins a new chapter of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but most Palestinians do not believe that the withdrawal will change the general situation. Though both sides have had their fill of violence, it is clear that the Israeli occupation has been an hotbed for numerous extremists and brutal acts of revenge. The Palestinian situation is characterized by injustice and helplessness. “The Edge of Hope” focuses on a 35 year old Palestinian named Ramadan, who was born in a refugee-camp and is still living there even though he has a good job: He is camera-operator for Al-Jazeera at the Ramallah office of the well-known Arabian network. The camera gives him the feeling of producing something meaningful while his homeland is caught in daily absurdities. “Daily life” has a completely different meaning in Palestine. Narrated by Ramadan, the film delivers insight into a life under occupation. It’s a life running in circles, with hope for better times but no belief that these will come – it’s the edge of hope.

An event taking place in the context of Tadamon!’s ongoing political campaigns operating in Canada, including the campaign for boycott, sanctions & divestment of the apartheid Israeli state and the campaign to challenge the listing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government.

* Tadamon!: Challenging Hezbollah’s listing as a ‘Terrorist’ Group in Canada

* Tadamon!: Boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli apartheid

Cinema Politica: to watch the trailers, read the full synopses and check out the Cinema Politica schedules across the network.

Cinema Politica is an überculture project, and is co-sponsored by CitizenShift and Concordia University Television (CUTV). Additional support comes from our friends at the Concordia Co-op Bookstore, the Cinema Politica Network is also supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.