Artists and officials in the film production sector stressed the importance of cinema in shedding light on the Palestinian issue from a humanitarian perspective, and conveying the voices of the Palestinian people and their suffering through cinema.
During their participation in the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth in its tenth edition this year, they pointed out that in light of the humanitarian issues and tragedies the world is witnessing, especially in Palestine, the matter requires a stand by various members of society, and from here comes the role of media and cinema in shedding light on humanitarian issues. Showing it is a message in the face of ugliness.
Experiences and cultures
Artist Ammar Al Rahma pointed out that cinematic works are an opportunity to get to know people and their cultures, including their problems and suffering, noting their importance in introducing children to the cultures of different peoples and the issues that societies go through and getting to know their details closely through artistic works. Al Rahma said: “It enables Cinema is about transmitting and acquiring culture through art, which is embodied by the Sharjah Film Festival for Children and Youth, which enables young people to contribute to transmitting their cultures and highlighting them through art and cinema.”
Social mission and responsibility
Actress Amal Muhammad said: “It is our responsibility as artists to deliver meaningful and awareness-raising messages in light of the current circumstances that Palestine is going through, through drama, cinema, and the programs that are presented. As artists, we carry humanitarian and positive messages to the world, and we hope to contribute even a small part to the service.” Palestine, whether through artistic or volunteer work.”
Amal said: “It is our duty as artists to contribute to these campaigns. Therefore, before the start of the film festival, we participated with individuals and volunteers of different nationalities and ages in the campaign dedicated to the victims of Palestine, in which a large number of artists and community members participated.”
Cinematic works
A number of artists confirmed their willingness to participate in creating an artistic work that bears the suffering of the people of Gaza, including the artist Ashjan, who confirmed her full readiness to support and participate in works that aim to highlight this issue. She said: “I believe in the importance of having purposeful messages that the artist presents through his works, and I hope that there will be A cinematic film that sheds light on the Palestinian issue from a humanitarian aspect, and I will personally be one of the first to support this work.”
Big challenges
Despite the importance of these cinematic works in highlighting the humanitarian issues that Palestinians go through, directing and working on them constitutes a great challenge for directors, especially in influencing the audience who is exposed to the events directly through social media platforms, as these platforms witness many clips that It is considered more influential than any work of art, according to what Emirati director Nahla Al-Fahad confirmed. Al-Fahad called on filmmakers who wish to create influential content to use the content published on social media platforms in their films, noting the prominent role played by the real clips that are published in influencing the Societies, cinema and humanitarian issues.
Nahla Al-Fahad explained: “There is no doubt that making a film about the events taking place in Palestine supports Arab and Palestinian cinema, but the film must have an impact on the viewer, by conveying the reality that is happening in Gaza, which constitutes a major challenge, as the texts Cinematography may not be as influential on the viewer as it is affected by the real content that is circulated on these platforms. Therefore, I believe that no cinematic text can convey what is happening in Gaza, and therefore we do not need a film about Gaza to influence society.. What we see in Social media can convey reality as it is.”
