When I Saw You + paneldebat

Panel debateThis is followed by a panel debate in the presence of filmmakers Hend Sabry and Hala Abdallah. The debate is chaired by Dr. Viola Shafik, author of Arab Cinema: History and Cultural Identity and director of documentaries like My Name Is Not Ali.

During the panel debate, the filmmakers will discuss the history of Arab women filmmakers: how and why did they start making films? What is the present situation, is it easier today to make films and what are the obstacles getting in their way? Among the other issues that will be addressed is the stereotypical image of the Arab world in the West, and the differences between countries like Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia. In English.

The movieIn the summer of 1967 Israeli forces gain control over the Gaza strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan heights. Thousands of Palestinians are stranded in Jordan, many separated from their families in the chaos of the war. Among them are 11-year-old Tarek and his mother – Tarek”s father is missing. The boy develops a wistful romantic fantasy about his father and sets out to look for him in the forests nearby. There he discovers a place where Palestinians living in refugee camps are undergoing military training to free their country.

Director Annemarie Jacir is regarded as one of the leading figures of the Arab “new wave” of young female directors. She wrote, directed and produced some fifteen films, two of which were selected for Cannes. In addition she works as a teacher, editor and programme maker.

Jacir based When I Saw You on her own family history. She lived in Palestine for a long time, until she was no longer allowed to return to her country, and could only see it lying in the distance across the Jordan valley. “As is the case for many displaced people, it is the hardest thing to be somewhere and see the country that is so close to you but that is now denied to you.”