SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt's PM meets Tokyo governor, witnesses signing of education agreements    Egypt's Sisi, France's Macron discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts in phone call    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt expresses 'deep dissatisfaction' to Netherlands over embassy attack    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    At TICAD, Egypt's education minister signs pacts with Casio, SAPIX    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Indian tourist arrivals to Egypt jump 18.8% in H1-2025: ministry data    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



The resurrection of cinema Jenin
Published in Daily News Egypt on 15 - 07 - 2010

Between the cities of Nazareth and Nablus, in the north of the West Bank, lies the city of Jenin. Perhaps most famous for its strident armed resistance during the Second Intifada a decade ago, Jenin has changed significantly since then.
Proof of this is the upcoming Cinema Jenin Film Festival, set to kick off on Aug. 5 for three days. With less than a month left before the opening night, there is still much work to be done.
The cinema, first opened in 1957, was a center of cultural life in the city until it closed down during the Second Intifada. During this time, Jenin experienced some of the worst fighting within the West Bank; the local community is still recuperating. A refugee camp of more than 30,000 people lies adjacent to the city, of which 40 percent is under the age of 15.
The uplifting story of one man inspired the renovation of the cinema. Five years ago, Ismail Khatib lost his 11-year-old son to Israeli gunfire, after a soldier mistook his plastic toy gun for a rifle. Khatib then decided to donate his son's organs to Israeli recipients. This story inspired the German documentary filmmaker Marcus Vetter to direct the acclaimed documentary, “The Heart of Jenin,” which will be screened on the opening night of the festival.
Khatib wanted to work within the community, so he decided to open a cultural center for children. His story motivated the children to make their own films. Only when he realized there was no place to show these films did the idea to renovate the old cinema emerge.
With the help of Vetter, Khatib has assembled a team of local Palestinian workers and German volunteers, and for the past two years, this group has been working tirelessly to restore the cinema to its former glory.
The cinema is a grand affair. Set to seat around 400 people on original restored chairs between the first level and the balcony, red velvet curtains will open to reveal state-of-the-art equipment, some of which was donated by Roger Waters, founder of Pink Floyd.
However, for the people of Jenin, the cinema represents more than curtains and chairs. Its restoration is a symbol of the stability and peace currently dominating the city.
In recent years, four Israeli settlements in the region were evacuated and the Palestinian Authority has created strong and able security forces. Even the number of checkpoints has decreased, albeit slightly. Still, the city remains under the control of the IDF, and therefore is subject to night-raids and frequent border hassle. For instance, a week ago, German volunteers spent 11 hours trying to cross the Allinbi bridge to reach Jenin.
Fakhri Hamad, project manager of the cinema, told Daily News Egypt that while the cinema is not accepting any Israeli donations, there has been real support from Palestinians living in Israel.
He says the cinema is also open to the idea of showing Israeli films: “Israeli films made by filmmakers who believe in Palestinian rights and fighting against the Israeli occupation of Palestine will be welcome.”
In this regard, Hamad hopes the cinema will be, “a new form of Palestinian resistance under occupation.” The main goal for Hamad, however, is for the people of Jenin to ”have a place where they can find some entertainment at reasonable prices, and at the same time…feel safe and secure sending their kids to learn something.”
What is still needed for the success of the cinema is strong regional support.
Egypt remains the heart of Arab cinema and is still the largest producer of Arabic language films in the world. Egyptian film “Hassan and Morqos,” staring Omar Sharif and Adel Imam, will also be screen on the opening night.
Earlier this week, Hamad and a team of German filmmakers documenting the process of organizing the festival came to Cairo to court Egyptian sponsorship, and hopefully secure the attendance of Egyptian stars at the opening ceremony. Unfortunately, the group has so far found it difficult to meet with Egyptian film industrials.
Part of the problem has to do with the Egyptian cultural boycott of Israel, travel hindrances that haven't been resolved and their general cautiousness towards working around issues. Despite these setbacks, Hamad is optimistic, simply hoping to witness the fruition of a dream that has been a long time coming.
For more information about Cinema Jenin, visit www.cinemajenin.org.


Clic here to read the story from its source.