From: Pedestrian Pictures <pedepics@...>
Subject: Ongoing war against Palestine: film screenings + discussions, 17 Jan, Sat
To: pedepics@...
Date: Tuesday, 13 January, 2009, 10:30 AM

pedestrian pictures

invites you to

An evening of film screenings and discussions

on the ongoing war against Palestine

 

Over the last 17 days, Merkava tanks and F-16 fighter jets have pounded Gaza killing almost 900 Palestinians in a carnage that can only be called unequalled. The most tragic part of this latest attack on Palestine has been once again the killing of a large number of totally unarmed children and women (42 percent according to official sources). While the carnage is telecast live on television, what is missing is a deeper understanding of the conflict and its history.

 

The disproportionate use of force by the Israeli Defence Forces to crush the democratically elected government of Hamas can only be described by one word -  genocide. This has created a humanitarian disaster of immense proportions exasperating the already dire situation in Gaza due to the sanctions and economic blockade imposed by Israel and its allies.

 

Besides screening of two films Occupation 101 and Jenin Jenin (synopses below), the evening will also feature a discussion led by senior journalist KS Dakshina Murthy on his understanding of the conflict and the current violence.

 

Date: 17 January 2009, Saturday

Time: 4.30 pm - 8.30 pm

Venue: Institution of Agricultural Technologists (IAT), Queens Road, Bangalore (Directions to the venue)

 

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Programme details

 

4.30 - 6.30 pm screening of 'Occupation 101: Voices of the silenced majority'

dir. Sufyan Omeish and Abdallah Omeish (2006 / 90 mins / Eng. sub)

 

Synopsis:  A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions. The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.

 

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.

 

For list of awards see http://www.occupation101.com/

 

6.30 - 7 pm Talk by KS Dakshina Murthy

followed by discussion

 

KS Dakshina Murthy was a key member of the editorial team that launched the English language version of the Al-Jazeera news website in 2003. Based in Doha, he wrote extensively on the US invasion of Iraq and West Asian politics. Among other things, he managed the Aljazeera.net newsroom and determined the selection of stories and their treatment. He returned to India in April 2006 to pursue other journalistic and allied interests. He continues to freelance for Al-Jazeera and is an Editorial Consultant / Trainer with The Hindu.

 

7.30 - 8.30 pm screening of 'Jenin Jenin'

dir. Mohammed Bakri (2002 / 54 mins / Eng. sub)

 

Synopsis: "Where is God," an elderly man desperately wonders when surveying the debris in the Palestinian refugee camp Jenin. Directed and co-produced by Palestinian actor Mohammad Bakri, Jenin Jenin includes testimony from Jenin residents after the Israeli army's Defensive Wall operation. The city and camp were the scenes of fierce fighting which ended with Jenin flattened and scores of Palestinians dead. Palestinians as well as numerous human rights groups accused Israel of committing war crimes in the attack. The United Nations appointed a commission of inquiry, but Israel refused to let its members visit the scene.

 

Banned in Israel, Jenin Jenin is dedicated to Iyad Samudi, the producer of the film, who returned home to Yamun after the shooting of the film was completed. On June 23, as Israeli forces besieged Yamun, Samudi was shot and killed as he was leaving a militarily-closed area with three friends.

 

More details on http://www.arabfilm.com/item/242/

 

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For more information contact 9448367627 or 9880276820 email pedepicsATgmail.com