Documenting life for the next generation of Palestinians
‘It’s the first time I see myself from outside.’ said Jerusalemites.
Jerusalem24– As the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival comes to a close this Thursday, Palestinian Jerusalemite film director Sahira Dirbas invites us to listen to the stories of this “important festival” which brings together films and directors from the entire Arab region.
“Through these films we get to know the Arab directors and their stories.” Stories, Sahira tells us, are what’s truly important. Most of her films are based on Palestinian oral history.
Sahira’s own films depict her fellow Jerusalemites’ daily, routine lives under Israeli constraints and controls – constraints that have become so routine, they barely even think of them anymore.
“Some people told me when they saw this film – people from Jerusalem – they said ‘It’s the first time I see myself from outside.’”
Sahira says she’s documenting life for the next generation of Palestinians.
“I always say these films are going to be my heritage, because we Palestinians didn’t document our history a lot.”
The Jerusalem Arab Film Festival will screen its closing film tonight at Al-Hakawati Palestinian National Theatre in Jerusalem.
Listen to the full Vibes episode below to find out more about Sahira’s work.
https://soundcloud.com/24fmpalestine/vibes-1852022-interview-1
