KUWAIT CITY, April 12: Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait Rami Tahboub confirmed that “From Ground Zero” is the most powerful and important movie ever filmed in Gaza Strip, three weeks after the start of the genocidal war waged by the occupying State against the Palestinian people, particularly those in the Gaza Strip indicating that Palestinian directors residing in Gaza produced the movie. Tahboub made the statement on the sidelines of the screening of the movie as part of the Palestine Film Festival organized recently by the American University of Kuwait (AUK) in cooperation with the Palestinian Embassy. Several diplomats, citizens, expatriates and supporters of the Palestinian cause attended the event. He stated that the producers of the movie are eyewitnesses to what has been happening in recent periods, indicating the movie is a collection of 20 short films. He pointed out that the goal is to inform the entire world about what is happening in Gaza in this difficult period. He said more than 100 people -- all filmmakers -- worked in the filming set.

“They faced difficulties due to power and Internet outages, as well as the need to communicate with the core team, including Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi. They risked their lives from the North to the South of the Gaza Strip to document these events,” he disclosed. He affirmed that the film has been shortlisted for an Oscar. “It has been screened at 100 international film festivals, and there are attempts to screen it at the Cannes Film Festival,” he added. He emphasized that the film’s ultimate message is for the world to know the genocide taking place in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian people and for viewers to experience the moment that Palestinians have experienced. In addition, an Arabic evening event in Malmö, Sweden included the screening of “From Ground Zero: Untold Stories from Gaza”. This project brings together 22 short films produced by talented directors from Gaza.

Launched by prominent Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, the initiative emerged amidst the conflict and aims to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their craft. Each short film, ranging from three to seven minutes in length, offers a unique perspective on the current reality in Gaza. The project captures the diverse experiences of life in the Palestinian enclave like the challenges, tragedies, and moments of resilience faced by its people. Blending genres such as fiction, documentary, animation and experimental film; the movie presents a rich web of stories that reflect the grief, joy and hope found in Gaza. Despite the harsh recording conditions, Gaza’s vibrant art scene shines through this collection, offering an intimate and powerful portrayal of the daily lives and perpetual mindset of its people. Present at the event were Arab and European filmmakers in Malmö, including the director of the Malmö Arab Film Festival in Sweden, renowned artist and director Mohammad Kablawi, and the project’s founding director Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi who responded to the queries of a large audience at Panora Cinema after the screening.

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff