The documentary Palestinian film Huna Sawt Filistin (Voice of Palestine) which is a joint French and Palestinian production under the direction of Rashid Mashharawi was screened last Friday at Fipa International Festival of Audiovisual Programs held in Biarritz, south of France during the period between January 22-27.
The film tackles the history of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation and the way it was operating before it was destroyed by the Israeli occupation army last week. The film which was also screened by the French German TV channel, Art, last Friday evening after it had been screened at the last Ismaeliyyah and Amsterdam festivals is considered a live witness on the way of life under which a group of Palestinian journalists were operating in view of the prevailing extraordinary circumstances. It shows also how these journalists provided coverage for the Intifada day by day until the establishment was destroyed.
The film features the movements of the journalists and their life even inside their houses raising the inquiry whether Voice of Palestine was a media tool or a way of struggle with the enemy.
Mashharawi highlights the humanitarian side of the journalists by accompanying them to the meetings and their outdoor work under shelling and shooting and the Israeli ban on their movements through the a military check post.
The film was shot last summer when the Palestinian uprising was at its peak.
Participating from the Palestinian side in the production of the film were Raed Andouni, Owner of Production House, and from the French side Patrick Para, owner of Article Z for Production.
The film ends with the ongoing shortages, which the Palestinian establishment was suffering from particularly the equipment and other necessary tools highlighting the difference between working for this media corporation and other foreign and Israeli corporations.
Rashid Mashharawi has wrapped up many short films in addition to two long ones the last of which was Haifa. He lives and works in Gaza where he established a cultural center named al Mutell. Among his prominent activities is the training of the youth on how to make films – Albawaba.com
