From Ground Zero
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Description
A Film Project from Gaza: 22 Short Films by Palestinian Directors for the Oscars
"From Ground Zero" is a film project that includes 22 short films created by young directors from Gaza. These films, ranging from three to six minutes long, were produced as part of the film school of Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi. The initiative emerged after the new conflict with Israel, which escalated following the attacks on October 7, 2023. Through various perspectives, the project presents a realistically tragic portrayal of Gaza, where despair alternates with hope.
The project takes on the character of a reportage film and serves as a vital historical and human testimony to what is happening in Gaza. It depicts life in refugee camps, the rubble of destroyed buildings, and the sounds of bombings and aircraft flying overhead. The short films share many common elements, despite their differing stories, as they all depict Gaza, convey suffering and pain, and often use voice-over narration.
The genres of the films are diverse: fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental cinema. For example, in Fragments, there is the use of black-and-white imagery and drawings in the story of a girl who "spiritually" searches for her dance group, trying to trace the memories of a happier past. In Out of Frame, painting and sketches capture the view of Gaza, especially focusing on the composition of a painting that highlights the divide between reality and its perception.
While there are qualitative differences among the films, this is not the main concern, as all of them are united by the urgency of telling their stories. This urgency is evident in the nervous movements of the handheld camera, and even though some of the forms are more elaborate, they are never intrusive.
Notable films include No Signal, which depicts a man’s desperate attempts to rescue his brother trapped under rubble. The film is powerful due to its claustrophobic nature, as it is filmed in a confined space. A School Day tells the story of Khaled, a student who walks through tents, markets, and ruins until he reaches the grave of his teacher, who died during the war. Every fragment of From Ground Zero leaves an impression, serving as a historical, political, and especially human document. In fact, it can be seen as a single film, with recurring sounds and noises of daily life in Gaza echoing throughout.
Despite the prohibitive working conditions, many directors emphasize the vitality of the Palestinian cultural and artistic landscape. The lost dream of filmmaker Ahmed Assouna, who now must focus on saving his family's life, is explored in Sorry Cinema, while Everything is Fine tells the story of a stand-up comedian who offers comfort in a refugee camp. These films represent both a dramatic break with the past and a glimpse into the future.
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