Screened as a world premiere and competing for the Golden Pyramid, “Passenger Dreams” is filmed from a child’s height. The story is in the form of a modern tale about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but without bombs or bloodshed.
The opening film of the 45th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival “Passenger Dreams” by Rachid Maâcharaoui (Palestine) is, without a doubt, one of his best films. The work is both sober and touching. Screened as a world premiere and competing for the Golden Pyramid, “Passenger Dreams” is filmed from a child’s height. The story is in the form of a modern tale about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but without bombs or bloodshed. The film recounts the wanderings of a teenager and his uncle in search of a dove that has escaped from its cage.
Sami, 12, takes us on his bittersweet quest with his uncle and cousin on a journey from Bethelem to Haifa, passing through occupied camps and villages, lasting a whole day until nightfall, the search for the lost dove which flew from their house into a refugee camp in the West Bank, Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. The plot is just a pretext to evoke more important questions in relation to family conflicts, in this case between Sami’s uncle and his brother, and those of a Palestinian state under occupation and whose beginnings of peace seem difficult or even impossible, given what is currently happening in Gaza. This parable on the Palestinian question is treated cinematographically through a 1h20 road movie. The dramatic construction of this journey is subtle and effective. A neighbor of Sami’s uncle informs him that the bird has probably returned to its village of origin. The three characters: the uncle, his daughter and his nephew travel in a red camper van from the Qalandia refugee camp crossing the entire region from the refugee camps of the occupied western strip passing through the magnificent landscapes of Palestinian villages including Bethelem, the old city El Quds and Haifa in northern Israel. Through a quest for self and a country under occupation, this odyssey turns into a kind of “Nakba”, but in the opposite direction because Sami’s family left their hometown of Haifa during the forced exodus of the Palestinians. in 1948, during the creation of the State of Israel. According to Rachid Maacharoui, “cinema cannot always be a reaction to Israeli actions, it must also be an action in itself.” Barrages, separation walls and restrictions are shown as part of the daily life of the Palestinian landscape. The characters in the film, looking for the bird, never know if they can go where they want. You have to resort to different stratagems to get to your destination. Will the bird symbol of peace and freedom be found? “Passenger Dreams” will be screened during the next session of the Carthage Cinematographic Days, assured its director Rachid Maâcharaoui.
How does “Passenger Dreams” challenge or reinforce your perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through its storytelling and characters?
1. Can you introduce yourself and share your thoughts on the film “Passenger Dreams”?
2. The film tells the story of a 12-year-old boy and his family, caught up in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What messages do you believe the film is trying to convey about this complex situation?
3. The film uses a simple premise of searching for a dove to explore deeper themes. How do you think this approach contributes to the overall narrative and the underlying message of the film?
4. The film showcases the daily struggles of the Palestinian people living under occupation through the journey of the characters. What were some of the key challenges they faced during their search?
5. The film’s setting shifts from refugee camps to Israeli territory. How does this reflect the complex realities of life for many Palestinians living in the region?
6. The film suggests that the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis is a result of long-standing tensions and forced displacement. What is your analysis of the role that history plays in the current situation?
7. As a filmmaker, how do you approach the sensitive topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in your work? Do you believe that filmmaking can play a role in promoting understanding and peace?
8. The director mentioned that the film is about “a quest for self and a country under occupation.” Could you expand on this idea and discuss the symbolism of the dove representing freedom and unity?
9. The film was screened as a world premiere and competed for the Golden Pyramid at the Cairo International Film Festival. What do you think makes “Passenger Dreams” stand out in the context of contemporary Arab cinema?
10. what do you hope audiences will take away from “Passenger Dreams” and how do you see its impact on the ongoing dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
