Palestinian Cinema Festival opens in Paris

A festival of Palestinian cinema has opened in Paris. It’s the first event of its type in France although similar festivals are already held in London, Boston and Toronto. The organisers say the aim is to highlight Palestinian culture and the diversity of Palestinian cinema.

Smauel Lehoux, one of the festival’s organisers, said it was not supposed to be a political event. “Before anything else this event is about films, about their content, and not about any related politics. And also, this festival demonstrates an interesting diversity in the cinematic approach. So that makes this a cultural and artistic festival.”

‘When I Saw You’ by director Annemarie Jacir was screened at the opening of the festival. Set just after the 1967 6-Day War, the film follows the fortunes of Palestinians in a refugee camp.

Annemarie Jacir said the film was based on personal experience: “My family is from Bethlehem, which was occupied in 1967. I was interested in doing something about this time period