Art can support political causes. We have seen example of this all around the world, and Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi (“Attente“, “Tension“) shares this belief, stating “The cinema is highly important to support people and highlight their culture and identity anywhere”. In the light of the still ongoing war in Palestine, the director emphasizes the role of cinema as it “has highlighted the cause and affected a large audience inside and outside Palestine, especially some works that partook in international festivals qualified by their artistic value, not only their political view.” Masharawi has shown much support for the cinema of his home country, for example through many projects and the cultural center, which was sadly destroyed in the ongoing conflict.
In order to back his words with actions, he has established a fund to support cinema and filmmakers in Gaza which should help “a new generation of young filmmakers in Gaza, who have myriads of stories that they lived during the war.” Masharawi continues: “I know how us, filmmakers, work on an identity that cannot be occupied. Our identity is emphasized by history, language, culture and traditions, which are all highlighted in cinema. The occupation kills people and destroys buildings, but it’s hard to erase an identity.” He stresses further that cinema can help to present an image of his home country different from the one shown in the media.
At the same time, he is also promoting and supporting the cause through his own upcoming works. The first will be a documentary he is currently working on which is about the ongoing war. At the same time his next feature “Ephemeral Dreams” is almost finished. It tells the story of a Palestinian boy who lost a bird, and then embark on a journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem and Jaffa to find it. He passes by checkpoints and a wall, witnessing the tragedies inflicted by the occupation. He also talks about his plans for an upcoming feature film which will be about the current conflict.
