TEHRAN – The 17th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival Cinéma Vérité has unveiled the lineup for its special section dedicated to documentaries on Gaza.

This section will showcase five acclaimed films, all directed by foreign filmmakers, that offer unique perspectives on the complex realities of Gaza, the organizers announced on Monday. 

“Tears of Gaza” by Vibeke Løkkeberg from Norway, “Gaza Strip” by James Longley from the U.S., and “Samouni Road” by Stefano Savona from Italy are among the films. 

Released in 2010, "Tears of Gaza" is a gripping production that delves into the Gaza War through the perspective of a group of Palestinian children. Shot entirely with footage captured by individuals within Gaza during the ongoing conflict, the documentary incorporates additional material from the limited number of foreign journalists who witnessed the unfolding events.

The film was awarded the Gold Award at the Gaza Film Festival, and the prize money was allocated to the Palestinian children who shared their stories on screen.

In addition, "Tears of Gaza" was honored with the Human Rights Award for best feature film at the Al Jazeera International Documentary Festival in Doha in 2011.

“Gaza Strip” is a 2002 American documentary film which records events taking place in 2001 during the Second Intifada.

The film focuses on 13-year-old Mohammed Hejazi, a second-grade dropout the filmmaker encountered at the Karni crossing in the Gaza Strip, where Palestinian children often gather to throw stones. 

Released in 2018, the Italian documentary "Samouni Road" takes viewers on a journey with Amal, Fouad, their siblings, and cousins, who have endured the heartbreaking loss of their parents, homes, and cherished olive trees. They belong to the Samouni family, a community of farmers residing in the rural outskirts of Gaza City.

Time has passed since they laid their loved ones to rest, and now they face the daunting task of rebuilding not only their houses but also their collective memory. The film captures their quest to reconstruct fragments of their past, from treasured moments before the war to the profound words of their father and the tragic events that forever altered their family's destiny.

Through a blend of live-action sequences, scratchboard animation, and drone footage recreations, "Samouni Road" conveys the Samounis' dialogue with their history, setting the stage for their hopeful visions of the future that lie ahead.

The lineup also includes “R 21 AKA Restoring Solidarity” by Mohanad Yaqubi from Palestine and “Gaza”, co-directed by Andrew McConnell and Garry Keane from Ireland.

Set in 2022, "R 21 AKA Restoring Solidarity" follows Yaqubi as he embarks on a global journey, promoting his previous film, "Off Frame." During his travels, Yaqubi encounters an individual in Japan who claims to possess an extensive collection of pro-Palestinian work.

Drawing from this footage, the documentary presents a captivating and diverse exploration of cross-continental solidarity. The film showcases a range of content, including imported films from Palestine that have been dubbed, re-edited, and transformed, as well as Japanese-made documentaries featuring on-location interviews with PLO leaders and frontline reporting. These works were crafted by leftists seeking to incite change in their own country.

Yaqubi deliberately preserves the layers of overdubbing and subtitling, allowing the inherent processes of transfer, transmutation, and identification to become visible imprints on the celluloid. This approach highlights the transformative power of cinema as it captures the many layers and nuances of solidarity movements across continents.

A 2019 documentary film, “Gaza” captures the essence of Gazan citizens living amidst perpetual conflict. The film transcends the boundaries of traditional news reportage, offering an authentic and touching portrayal of everyday Gazan life that goes beyond the well-worn narrative of destruction.

At its core, the documentary delves into the lives of Karma and Ahmed, two teenagers from contrasting social backgrounds, bridging the divide to showcase the shared dreams and aspirations that unite them.

Despite the recognition it garnered as the Irish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, “Gaza” did not secure a nomination. 

The 17th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival Cinéma Vérité has dedicated a special section to Gaza. 

This section will feature a selection of documentaries focused on Gaza, shedding light on the ongoing issues in Palestine. Additionally, a panel discussion will take place, featuring international professors and filmmakers who will discuss the humanitarian consequences of the crisis, documentary filmmaking techniques, and more.

The 17th Cinéma Vérité is scheduled to be held in Tehran from December 18 to 23.  

Organized by the Documentary & Experimental Film Center (DEFC), the festival aims to represent the history and culture of Iranian Islamic society and present a real picture of what human is facing today in his/her individual and social life through documentary films.

With this objective, the special focus of this edition of the festival is on two national and international challenges: the water crisis and population issues.

Earlier in September, the festival’s organizers announced that a total of 2,454 documentaries from around the world have been submitted to the event.

From among the total submissions, 615 works are from Iran and 1,839 foreign documentaries have also been received.

The foreign films have been submitted from Turkey, China, the U.K., Russia, Poland, Spain, Egypt, Argentina, Indonesia, and Germany among others.

The 17th edition of the festival includes national competition, international competition, Martyr Avini Award, national and international side sections and commemoration.

Since October 7, when Hamas unexpectedly started Operation Al-Aqsa Storm in the occupied territories in reaction to the Israeli regime’s increased atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Israel has been bombing Gaza.

It is reported that about 13,000 Palestinians, including 5,500 children, have been killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip since 7 October.

Israel's relentless bombings on Gaza have taken an alarming toll on the lives of the civilian population. The sheer number of casualties, especially children, is deeply concerning and highlights the immense suffering inflicted upon the Palestinian people.

SAB/