A humorous view on Israel-Palestine
Two charming films with a humorous approach to the conflict in Israel-Palestine are programmed for this years Arab Film Days! The Wanted 18 tells the tale of eighteen cows who are declared a national security threat against Israel, while the drama Self Made is a present day story about two women who swop identity after a mix-up at the boarder checkpoint. It´s the creative storytelling without taking away the seriousness, that earned them their slots in the program.
Underground milk cows
In a unique mixture of stop-motion animation and documentary, the directing duo Amer Shomali and Paul Cowan manage to emphasise both the seriousness and absurdity of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Wanted 18 is Shomalis first feature length film and tells a story his own family has been intimately involved in.
The Wanted 18 takes place in the first Palestinian intifada in a small neighbourhood in Beit Sahour on the West Bank. In an attempt to increase independence from Israeli affairs, the neighbourhood buys eighteen cows too produce their own milk. The farm becomes a landmark and the cows are celebrated as local heroes. Soon enough the Israelis discover the milk-ifada, find the cows symbols of non-violent civil disobedience and declare them “a national security threat”. When military helicopters and soldiers leave for Beit Sahour to kill the animals, the Palestinians hide them, and so the cow hunt begins.
Kafkan identity swap
After a mix-up at the boarder checkpoint, Palestinian Nadine and Israeli Michal swap lives. Michal find herself in a refugee camp and Nadine in a house in Jerusalem. With warmth and humour Self Made focus on how these strong females cope with everyday life and then both suddenly realize that they would prefer the destiny of the other woman.
The festival is expanding
The Arab Film Days have had an astonishing 20 per cent increase in audience each year for the last four years. This year the festival expands with one more day and even more films focusing on the Middle East and North Africa, to celebrate our 5th anniversary and the rising popular demand for quality film from the region.
- We are looking forward to present this years program for the audience. As always there will be a mixture of documentary and feature film that examine the political development in the Arab world and more humorous films made for pure entertainment, says project manager Kristian Takvam Kindt.
- We are especially proud to have The Wanted 18 and Selv Made on the program, because this are films that comprises both. They have a fresh new view on Israel-Palestine, told with warmth and humour that makes them really delightful, he says.
The festival program is being finalized as we speak, you can already buy your festival passes online here and plot 16th-19th of April in your calendar.