Friday, May 12th Resisting Occupation Through Film: Balata Film Collective

– May 10, 2006
The Bridge 521 W. 26th St. 3rd Floor New York City 7:00 p.m. $5 – $10 suggested donation The Balata Film Collective was initiated to enable young Palestinians from Balata Refugee camp […]

The Bridge
521 W. 26th St. 3rd Floor
New York City

7:00 p.m.

$5 – $10 suggested donation

The Balata Film Collective was initiated to enable young Palestinians from Balata Refugee camp to use film as a method to break their isolation, challenge their oppression, and represent their lives to the world. This May 2006, 3 members of the collective will be touring the U.S. sharing their films and their stories, and hoping to build connections with other film collectives and film makers involved in the global struggle for justice and liberation.

Ruby Said (26 years old), who had no prior experience with video cameras or computers, became active in the Balata Film Collective in Spring of 2005. Since then, she has participated in the making of 5 short films and the documentary film “Nour’s Dream”. Ruby is also a women’s rights activist and a secretary at the Yafa Cultural Center where she coordinates children’s activities.

Mohammed Farraj (28 years old) helped to found the Balata Film Collective and balatacamp.net news service after he was released from spending 2 years in zionist prisons in winter of 2004. Mohammed is a prisoner rights and human rights activist and a journalism student at An-Najah National University.

Mohammed Hajhamad (32 years old) has run many drama programs and summer camps for children in Balata Camp, and he is the head theater trainer of A’edoon (“We Will Return”) Dabke and Art Theater group in Balata Camp’s Yafa Cultural Center. Mohammed has been working in theater since 1993, and has directed many plays, several television pieces, and most recently the documentary film “Nour’s Dream”.

The Balata Film Collective will be raising funds during their visit to help them achieve the following goals:

  • Founding theaters or cinemas to make our films available for every one who wants to see them.
  • Training children, youth and adults in Balata Camp how to make documentaries and how to use cameras to deliver their ideas.
  • Participating in film festivals to deliver our ideas to the world.

Sponsored by Al-Awda NY, Al Jisser Group and New Jersey Solidarity – Activists for the Liberation of Palestine.