GAZA (Reuters) — Film buffs in the Gaza Strip, who for decades have been deprived of going to the movies due to the destruction of cinemas during bouts of unrest in the enclave, are enjoying a rare chance to see a slate of films on the big screen.
Cinema once flourished in Gaza, with audiences flocking to see Arab, Western and Asian films, but the movie houses were torched in the First Intifada in 1987 and then burned down again in 1996 during another wave of internal violence.
Since then, Gazans have had to rely on television and online streaming services and the chance to see films on the big screen offered a rare treat for people living under a border blockade imposed by neighboring Israel and Egypt.
The Red Carpet Human Rights Film Festival, which opened on Thursday, is showing around 40 films at a recently renovated culture center, around half dealing with the decades-long conflict with Israel and the rest dealing with human rights issues around the world.
While Gazans have been able to go to movie screenings which are held from time to time at theatres and other venues, such a full bill of films is a rare treat.
The festival’s executive manager, Montaser Al-Sabe, said he was proud of the festival in Gaza but that he hoped cinemas would open up again.
“We have cinemas in Gaza that are closed, open them,” he said.
Around 300 films from 60 countries were submitted before organizers made their selection, which included films by four young local filmmakers who had the rare opportunity to show their work to local audiences.
Palestinian volunteers participate in organizing the sixth edition of the Red Carpet Film Festival, at a newly renovated theatre in Gaza City, Oct. 13, 2022.
