GAZA: In the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, without a cinema for 30 years, a few hundred people walk the red carpet to a rare film screening held on the street.
The opening of the Red Carpet Human Rights Film Festival on Wednesday evening had been expected to take place inside the Amer Cinema, which has been abandoned for three decades.
But it was moved at the last minute in unclear circumstances, with a screen erected in the street outside the cinema, a grey building with the letters peeling off.
The festival’s executive director, Muntaser Al-Sabaa, said organisers had been told by the cinema’s owners that they could no longer use it as a venue.
A screen erected in the street outside the cinema. (AFP)
“Suddenly they told us: ‘We are sorry but the situation is dangerous.’ They said: ‘We are afraid.’
“What happened is incomprehensible. We don’t know who told this partner to block the permit to open the cinema.”
The organisers said that they had obtained the necessary permits to host the festival in the cinema.
The week-long festival was scheduled to show 45 documentaries and is part-funded by the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank and dominated by the rival Fatah movement of president Mahmud Abbas.
Around 200 people sat outside to watch the opening film, the documentary “Gaza” by Irish directors Andrew McConnell and Garry Keane. (AFP)
“We chose Amer cinema for its strong symbolism and to send a message that cinema buildings still exist in Gaza and people have the right to enjoy shows,” Sabaa said.
In the end around 200 people sat outside to watch the opening film, the documentary “Gaza” by Irish directors Andrew McConnell and Garry Keane.
The film, which documents the lives of a number of Palestinians over several years, has won critical acclaim.
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