MIDDLE EAST PANORAMA

Eight titles selected for this rich review, organised with the support of the Deputy Presidency of Rome’s Consiglio Provinciale. A series of documentaries and films that will take us from Palestine to Iran through Egypt.
At the heart of this selection is the conflict between Palestine and Israel, which in this edition we’ve decided to explore mainly through the eyes of Israeli authors, in an effort to understand how they represent their own history and identity, and the times they’re living in.
This year we’ve privileged works which explore issue that would usually be kept in the shadow when it comes to conflicts, being seen as minor problems. With The Channels of Rage, for example, we’ll explore the relation between music - specifically the new hip-hop scene in Palestine and Israel - and war. Whereas with Good Times we’ll look at the consequences and effects of the wall that is been built up to divide the occupied territories from Israel.
The history of Palestine and of the conflict with Israel has indeed a special place in our selection.
To give a few more examples, films as La Porte du Soleil and Matzpen offer a far-ranging perspective, breaking the vicious circle of news of tragic events which seem to have ‘no reasoning behind’ - as the media would have us think.
Following this thread, we have also decided to screen some valuable works which try to critically investigate issues as that the ‘veil’ and homosexuality in Arabic countries.
And, finally, Trial, a true-love tribute to cinema and to the way it would give voice to reality even in the worst conditions.